Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has established a new specialized clinic at Hamad General Hospital (HGH) aimed at improving care for cancer patients who require repeated intravenous treatments. The clinic combines expertise from the National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) and HGH’s Vascular Surgery Department to provide comprehensive assessments and personalized treatment planning.
Cancer patients frequently need multiple intravenous medication sessions over extended periods, which can present challenges in maintaining reliable venous access. Difficulties in establishing or sustaining the necessary access points can lead to delays or complications in treatment. The newly launched clinic assesses patients’ specific needs related to intravenous therapy and recommends the most suitable approach to ensure smooth continuation of care.
The integrated team of oncologists and vascular surgeons evaluates each case to devise tailored plans that address both medical and logistical challenges. They monitor patients’ health status alongside treatment modalities to optimize care at every stage.
Dr. Mohammed Salem Al Hassan, medical director and CEO of NCCCR and chairman of Cancer Services at HMC, emphasized the importance of enhancing cancer care services to meet patients’ varied and evolving needs throughout their treatment journey. He described the clinic as a crucial step in overcoming obstacles many patients face during intravenous therapy.
Dr. Al Hassan highlighted the clinic’s focus on multidisciplinary collaboration, underscoring the necessity of integrating different medical specialties to maintain continuity and coordination of patient care.
Echoing this, Dr. Al Harith Al Khater, head of Oncology, Palliative Care and Urgent Care Services at NCCCR, noted that some patients’ requirements may shift over the course of long-term intravenous treatment. Early assessment through the clinic allows timely adjustments to treatment plans, improving the overall patient experience and management of potential complications.
Dr. Hassan Ali Saud Al Thani, head of Trauma, Vascular and General Surgery Department at HGH, explained that specialized evaluation enables the selection of the most appropriate venous access options based on individual patient conditions and treatment characteristics. This approach ensures prompt and effective decision-making regarding access methods, minimizing treatment interruptions.
A patient who has utilized the clinic described previously experiencing anxiety and discomfort due to multiple attempts at vein access prior to chemotherapy. After referral to the clinic, coordinated care involving vascular surgery provided a suitable catheter insertion, significantly easing the process of receiving intravenous medications and improving comfort.
The clinic represents an effort by HMC and NCCCR to address a critical aspect of cancer care, enhancing treatment delivery and patient quality of life through specialized, collaborative medical services.