Practical information

The smallest building block in the human body is the cell. Each cell has a specific job and a determined lifespan. When a body's cell is damaged or is too old and is no longer functioning normally, it dies and is replaced by a new cell. This is how an organ's normal activity is preserved.

Sometimes, a cell behaves abnormally, and it begins to multiply uncontrollably, forming a mass or tumour. A tumour can be benign, but if it develops the trait of absorbing adjacent healthy cells, then we call it a malignant tumour, or cancer. Cancer cells can spread in the human body (by lymph vessels or blood vessels, for example) and form new tumours in other organs (metastases). Cancer is the result of a deep and complex functional disorder of certain cells.

Most oncology treatment is administered on an outpatient basis (e.g. without being admitted). The Maria Middelares General Hospital has an Oncology and Therapy Day Hospital for this reason.

What to bring

Documents

• Identification Card
• Blood type card
• Name and telephone number for one contact person

Personal

• If applicable, the medication that you take during the day
• Comfortable clothing (you do not need to bring toiletries, pyjamas and/or a robe)
• Something to read: a book, a magazine
• Valuables or large amounts of money are better left at home (our hospital is not responsible for loss or theft)

Process

Registration

Always register at the reception desk for the Oncology and Therapy Day Hospital. You can best reach the reception desk by entering gate A on the ground floor.

You do not need to come having fasted, unless otherwise indicated. You can simply eat breakfast in the morning. The treatment will be started after drawing a blood sample. Depending on the blood test result and the physician authorisation, the treatment will start the next day. While the cytostatica is being administered, we will not leave the department.

Your stay

• All the rooms are equipped with a radio and television. You may also use your mobile in the day hospital.
• Your partner or a family member is welcome to come to the day hospital. We keep the number of people limited to keep the space calm and quiet for everyone.
• Patients from the Oncology and Therapy Day Hospital receive a (free) meal. The meal is offered only upon your request.
• During your admission, you may expect a visit from the attending physician in order to discuss any problems you may be having and/or to receive prescriptions for any required medication. How long exactly you need to stay at the day hospital depends on the administration schedule for the scheduled chemotherapy and can vary from a few hours to a full day.

Discharge

As soon as all the scheduled care has been administered, you may leave the hospital. Before you leave, stop by the reception desk of the Oncology and Therapy Day Hospital to book an appointment for the next treatment or check-up. After a visit to the day hospital, you may drive a vehicle, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Financial information

The invoice will be sent at the end of the month following your treatment:

• Chemotherapy is, in principle, free.
• A co-payment is charged for other additional medications, care materials and any additional tests required (X-rays, large blood draws, etc.)
• The health insurance fund pays a kilometre reimbursement for the distances that you, as a patient, must travel between house and hospital. All oncology patients have the right to this kilometre reimbursement. On the treatment end, you will receive a form with all the dates, signed and stamped by the attending physician. You may request this form from the ICG secretariat.
• All of our patients receive a parking voucher at a reduced rate (€1.00). Whoever does not have their own transportation or is able to have a friend or family provide transportation may inquire with our Social Services about volunteer transportation services. Please ask a nurse about this service.

What to bring

Please bring the following things with you for your hospital admission:

• Administrative papers (identification card, hospitalisation insurance papers, etc.)
• Medical paperwork (referral letter/documentation - labs, X-ray images - from your GP, blood type card, information about allergic reactions, current medication list)
• Personal items (e.g. toiletries, pyjamas, closed-toe shoes, book to read)
• Valuables or large amounts of money are better left at home (our hospital is not responsible for loss or theft)

Where to register

• Admissions at the A&E Department
• For a scheduled admission, you may go to the registration desk or one of the six kiosks. Your electronic identification card (e-ID) will be read there. You will receive a number that will be projected on to the television screen in the registration waiting room. Patients who do not have an e-ID will also receive a number. When your number appears on the screen, go to the indicated registration desk. Your reservation will be confirmed and you will be registered.
• You may choose from two room types:
  - two-person room
  - one-person room

Your room selection in no way influences the quality of individual care.

The room rate (the so-called ‘nursing day rate’) is paid by the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (RIZIV/INAMI). The co-payments (e.g. the portion for which the patient is personally responsible) and the supplemental hotel costs are the patient's financial responsibility. If you choose a single room, you will be charged a surcharge. This choice of room may be associated with higher physicians' fees. A list with the maximum fee supplements per physician is available in the Admissions Department.

Which department do you come to?

The Oncology Care Ward (D501) is part of the core team of the Integrated Cancer Centre in Ghent (IKG) of the Maria Middelares General Hospital. A team of experienced nurses are ready to provide you with professional and high-quality care that is customised to each individual patient. All nurses complete additional continuing education in oncology and have a special professional title as 'nurse specialist in oncology'.

A multidisciplinary team closely follows nodes of patient and his or her family (emotional crisis) and institutes the appropriate care if needed. Physicians, nurses, oncology coaches, dietitians, Pastoral Care Services, the Palliative Care Support Team and Social Services work together seamlessly, day in and day out. The involvement of all multidisciplinary team members leads to the best individualised care for each patient.

The department pays particular attention to the information offered about all facets of treatment (the process for technical testing, blood testing, specific treatment schedules, medication side effects, port systems/vascular access catheters, etc.) Specific leaflets on these topics are provided.

Who is my department contact person?

For questions, you may always contact the supervising nurse or the head nurse of the department. If necessary, we will refer you to the specific hospital staff member.

The telephone number for the nurse’s station is +32 (0)9 246 51 00.

Physician rounds

The physicians work together with the multidisciplinary team member to provide your care during the hospital admission. Each day, someone from the medical team completes rounds on all the rooms. During rounds, we try to provide as much information as possible about your medical condition and its management. Never hesitate to ask for additional information during these round visits.

Communication

• Would you like more information about a family member who has been admitted? You may always contact the department supervisor. If you are requesting medical information, you will be transferred to the secretariat or the attending physician so that you can book an appointment. The staff member of the medical secretariat will connect you or book an appointment with the supervising physician. It is very important for us that the patient designate a single contact person.
• Your GP will also be kept up-to-date on your medical condition and management. When you are discharged from the hospital, you will receive a discharge letter to be given to your GP. Your GP will be sent a more detailed, definitive letter later on.

Visiting hours

Visiting hours are from 2pm to 8pm.

Shorter is sweeter: a shorter visit can be more fun.

Specific visiting times, as they concern isolation measures, are at the discretion of the department supervisor.

Invoice

If you have specific questions about your invoice and your admission, please contact our Billing or Invoicing Department. You may read more here about your invoice.

More information

Extensive information about our hospital and your admission can be found in the welcome leaflet below.

Only available in Dutch:

Algemene onthaalbrochure AZ Maria Middelares

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You come for consultation either as a new patient or to have a follow-up appointment to assess your condition. The consultations are held at two possible locations:

• Maria Middelares General Hospital

• Maria Middelares Medical Centre

If you were referred by your GP, you have likely been given a supporting letter. This letter, along with any blood test results, may be given to the secretariat. The secretary will scan the document so that the physician has this information in his or her digital chart at the time of the consultation. It is always useful to write down the medications you take at home and to bring in that list when you come to have the consultation.

In the oncology and therapy day hospital we welcome one additional person per patient. This allows for smooth operation of the day hospital and ensures that patients receiving treatment do not become extra fatigued due to possible high numbers of visitors.

The general visiting rules of the hospital apply at the oncology ward. You can review them here.

Patients who visit Groeninge General Hospital in Kortrijk for radiation therapy can take the shuttle bus that goes there from Maria Middelares General Hospital.

• Where to catch the bus? Meet in the atrium at the circle across from the gift shop
• Departure times? At 7am: only for patients who are expected in the Maria Middelares day hospital for additional treatment after their radiation therapy. Other patients may take the shuttle bus at 10.15am.
• Where to park? Whoever would like to take the shuttle bus can park in one of the six reserved spaces in the Maria Middelares visitor parking. They are located under the pedestrian bridge between the tower parking lot and the hospital. Please place the special parking ticket on the front of the car if you park in one of the reserved parking spaces. You will be given this special parking ticket after your first consult at Groeninge General Hospital.
• Parking ticket? You will get a free parking ticket on the shuttle bus in order to park at Maria Middelares.
• Reservations? Would you like to use the shuttle bus? Please let us know at your first consult with the radiation therapist at the Maria Middelares General Hospital. Groening General Hospital in Kortrijk will take care of any other planning.

A Multidisciplinary Oncology Consultation (MOC) is a meeting between different physicians and care providers to design optimum care plans for each cancer patient. Specialists from the disciplines involved examine all tests and examination results, and then they discuss the future treatment plan. The Integrated Cancer Centre of Ghent (ICG) of Maria Middelares General Hospital collaborates with specialists in the E17 Hospital Network for the MOC. In addition to oncologists and physicians from the disciplines involved, GPs, oncology coaches, oncology psychologists and oncology dietitians are welcome to join the meetings. Interested GPs can join the meetings in person or take part by video conference.

Only available in Dutch:

Handleiding Videoconferentie MOC

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or view the explainer video below:

Do you, as a care provider, want more information about accessing a portal catheter, stopping an IV, etc.? Make sure to watch the explainer videos through ‘Portal catheter: practical information for the care professional.’