Excellent oncology certified nurses are available to answer questions and assist you with your care. To speak to one of our nurses please call 423-224-3150; however, if you are experiencing a true, life threatening emergency contact our office only after you have made arrangements to get to the emergency room.
Our nurses receive many calls during the day. At times you will need to leave a message on the answering machine. Please leave your name, date of birth, a return phone number, and a brief message as to how we can help you. Our goal is to initially return calls within 45 minutes. If you feel your need cannot wait 45 minutes or if for some reason our response has been delayed, please feel free to call 423-224-3150 and tell the operator that you have an urgent request.
Please understand that calls for test results and prescription refills will be returned after patient”s needs are met. We ask that you remember that physician”s schedules are often long and demanding. It may be late in the afternoon after all patients are gone or sometimes the following day before a non-emergency phone call can be returned.
If you feel you need us, we want to hear form you. Please use the following guidelines as to when you need to make your calls:
Call anytime- day or night- if
- Fever 100.5 or greater
- Uncontrolled nausea or diarrhea not resolved after taking medication
- Pain medication is not working
- Chest pains or increased shortness of breath
- Severe shaking or chills
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
- Blood in urine
- Black, tarry bowel movement
- Severe diarrhea
- Constipation with intense abdominal cramping
- Changes in vision or hearing
- Increased bruising or pinpoint red or purple spots anywhere on body
Call during Regular Office Hours
- If you have questions about your medication, treatment and its side effects.
- If you ” re having nutritional problems
- If you need a prescription refilled
- Please call by 2:00pm and have your pharmacy phone number for non-narcotic prescriptions
- For narcotics such as Percocet, MS Contin, Lortab, or Oxycontin either come into the office for written prescription or wait for 2 days for the prescription to be mailed to you. By law pharmacy must have a written prescription. No written prescriptions will be given on weekends.
- If you notice new numbness or tingling of your fingers or toes
- For lab test or scans please note the results of those may vary
- Scans 48-72 hours
- Tumor Markers: 72 hours
- Bone Marrow 7-10 days
- Pathology Reports: 3-5 days
As a general rule, we do not give out test results over the phone, your physician will give you the results and the time of your next scheduled visit.
Never hesitate to call us for any problem that is important to you. There is not need to be miserable. If a certain medication is not working let us know. Chances are, we can prescribe or suggest something you to make you more comfortable.