Canterbury DHB

Haematology Day Ward

General Arrangements

The Haematology Day Ward is located within the Medical Day Ward (MDU). MDU hours of operation are 0730 to 1830, Monday to Friday, and is staffed by Haematology trained Clinical Nurse Specialist and registered nurse with the support of MDU nurses. Patients must be reasonably well and independently ambulatory to be considered for Day Ward care. Appointment times are arranged by the Day Ward staff.

Patients can be referred from the Haematology Outpatients, Transplant Service, or the B6 on discharge as part of their outpatient care. Treatments given in the Day Ward include blood product transfusions, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, immunoglobulin infusions, leucocyte infusions, and post-transplant care.

Bone marrow aspirates and trephines are usually performed in the Medical Day Unit, where nitrous oxide is available. These include referrals both from Haematology and from other wards and departments in the hospital.

Medical Cover for Day Ward

When medical cover is required in the Day Ward, contact:

1. Outpatient registrar (ext. 89780 or page 8507).
2. If outpatient registrar is unavailable, contact the Transplant Registrar (ext. 89780 or page 8316).
3. If neither are available or in the case of an emergency, contact the Haematologist responsible for the "Hospital Consults".

Any issues concerning transplant patients are to be dealt with by the transplant team.

Weekend Laboratory Tests

When Day Ward weekend outpatients have blood tests, the results will be put on Éclair. Use outpatient labels, not ward labels, on all request forms.

Haematology Outpatients

• This is located on the second floor of the Outpatient building.
• Referrals come mainly from general practitioners. However, referrals can also be made when a patient is being discharged from the hospital and needs to be seen by a Haematologist as part of their continuing care.
• There is a registered nurse available to perform minor procedures, such as venesection and pre-splenectomy immunisations, answer questions, and give advice.

  Upon discharge from hospital, patients under the care of Haematology should be told to ring 364 0384 if they are unwell or febrile during normal clinic hours (which are 0800 to 1630, Monday to Friday).

  Outside these hours they should ring the Haematologist on call via the hospital switchboard. If appropriate, during normal working hours these patients will be directed to Haematology Outpatients where they will be seen by the Haematologist or a Haematology Registrar. If necessary, they will then be admitted to the B6 if a bed is available. The Patient Flow Manager/Duty Manager will need to be contacted, whether they are admitted to the B6 or to another ward.

Topic Code: 4638