2131 S. 17th Street   Wilmington, NC 28401   910-343-7000

New Hanover Regional Medical Center's 22-bed Inpatient Oncology Unit, on the 8th floor of the medical center, is dedicated to meeting the special needs of patients with cancer.  They have worked to build a place where the cancer patient who must be hospitalized can not only find advanced medical care, but also a comforting environment that encourages them to focus on the positive and find the strength they need to move forward through treatment.

The Family Lounge

Located next to the nurses' station, the family lounge provides a comfortable place for families to visit in an intimate setting.  A television and VCR, puzzles, cards, games, magazines and toys for children are all available for families and patients to use at any time.

A kitchen is located adjacent to the family lounge.  It is equipped with an ice maker, coffee maker, microwave, stove, cupboard with cooking supplies, refrigerator and a washer/dryer.

The Healing Quilts

"Healing Quilts" hang all around the Inpatient Oncology Unit.  Created and donated by members of the Quilters by the Sea Guild and by local artists, quilted wall hangings are permanently installed in patients' rooms and in the hallways.  The quilts provide images of healing, using a focus-centered "mandala" design, enabling a patient to focus for a long time on the quilt without tiring of the image. It is believed art of this nature has a calming effect, which, in turn, helps the healing process.

Expressive Arts Therapy

The use of the arts helps to relieve tension and pain and provide an outlet to express emotion.  An Expressive Arts program is designed for each individual patient.  It may include paint, quilting, needlework, photography, drawing, writing or other types of artwork.

Other services available through the Expressive Arts Therapy Program include:

• Relaxation Therapy- Includes the use of imagery and visualization to address physical and emotional issues and the use of music to calm.  Therapists and audio tapes are available.
• Pet Therapy - Patients who are expected to be hospitalized for an extended period of time may be able to arrange a visit from their pet or a trained therapeutic dog.
• Haircuts for Men/Women, Cosmetic Makeovers, Shampoo and Sets - Patients can arrange for a licensed cosmetologist to visit in their room.
• "Therapeutics" - Patients and their families are invited to sing songs of their choice once a week as a group gathers on Thursdays from 11 a.m. until noon.
• Relaxation through Touch - Back rubs, foot massage and hand massage are offered by a licensed massage therapist once a week in patients' rooms at their request.
• Look Good, Feel Better - A licensed cosmetologist will offer skin care, make-up and hair or wig tips for patients who would like to take part. 

Hospice Care

To help ease a patient's final days, the medical center works with Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter to provide hospice or palliative care.  Four rooms on the inpatient oncology unit are designated for such patients.  A Hospice Care Center, offering a homelike environment for terminally ill patients, is affiliated with and located very near the medical center.  For more information, visit the Lower Cape Fear Hospice website at http://hospiceandlifecarecenter.org/ .