The MUSC transplant service was the first institution in the world to provide outpatient allogeneic transplants. With the outpatient Transplant Program, patients and caregivers receive extensive education regarding the treatment process and symptom management. Daily care is provided in the cancer center with careful monitoring of medications. Partnership with a home infusion companion provides intravenous medications and counseling at home or in the hotel. The transplant staff is available 24 hours a day for questions or problems.
Patients are unanimously pleased with the outpatient approach.
Hospital care is provided when necessary, but some patients have not required a single admission. The outpatient staff is a dedicated and well-trained team of physicians, nurse practitioners, transplant coordinators, nurses, data managers, social workers, financial advisors, and pharmacists who work closely to coordinate patient care. The new areas of investigation are numerous. The lack of chemotherapy or radiation therapy reduces the toxicity of the preparation regimen. The immunotherapy treats the disease as well as conditions the patient to accept stem cells from a brother or sister.