Does anyone have experience with Englewood Hospital in NJ?

[Sunnycd]

I went to Englewood Hospital ER Center for abdominal pain, and had an emergency surgery for what turned out to be colon cancer stage 2B (I am still trying to write the fancy signature at the bottom to give a timeline of the diagnosis, etc, but I’m new). Long story short, thankfully my surgeon was a colon surgery specialist. Now, I’m working with the oncologist referred to me in the same office. Did anyone have any experience in this hospital for cancer. I researched their ratings in NJ and it was something like 2.2 out of 5? My oncologist seems to have a good reputation, and from looking at their website, training, but she is not someone that I automatically felt comfortable with (does it make sense?)

[Green Tea]

... Did anyone have any experience in this hospital for cancer. I researched their ratings in NJ and it was something like 2.2 out of 5? My oncologist seems to have a good reputation, and from looking at their website, training, but she is not someone that I automatically felt comfortable with (does it make sense?)

The U.S. News and World Report ranking is given below. This hospital is not nationally ranked for cancer.
https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nj/englewood-hospital-and-medical-center-6220280/colon-cancer-surgery

This website gives ratings of quality of care at this hospital:
https://www.hospitalstats.org/hospital-ratings/englewood-hospital-and-medical-center-englewood-nj.htm

This website reports incidence of various serious problems (e.g., Sepsis) at this hospital:
https://web.doh.state.nj.us/apps2/hpr/profile.aspx?num=10202

You can check this website for various safety problems noted at this hospital -- for example, C-diff infections:
https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/h/englewood-hospital-and-medical-center?findBy=hospital&hospital=Englewood+Hospital+and+Medical+Center&rPos=156.6666717529297&rSort=grade

This hospital is not an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
To find a nationally-ranked cancer center near you, click on this link:
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63653&p=499893#p499893

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I also have some comments about your oncologist and about the Cymbalta study, but I would prefer not to post these comments on a public message board. I may send you a PM later, after I have had time to collect my thoughts.

[Sunnycd]

Thank you, Green Tea! I’m getting less confident about my treatment in this hospital and oncologist by the day. My biggest issue right now that keeps me up is that: 1) everything for my chemo seems to have been ordered already, with the Pharmacy calling me to arrange delivery (I have not picked up their calls and leave it on VM); 2) informed oncologist about my intention for a second opinion on Tuesday 3) MSK received my info, but still need the oncologist note from my appt. MSK tells me it will be another 9 days from getting the complete docs to get an appt. My chemo was supposed to start in about 9-10 days in Englewood.

Aside from all that, my Biggest concern is, if all the drugs have been ordered for my treatment, is it too late for me to make the switch to MSK? If I move to MSK, will my insurance refuse to cover the drugs or treatment since they had approved for Englewood? Oh, gosh, I’m so lost and confused...

[Green Tea]

... (1) everything for my chemo seems to have been ordered already, with the Pharmacy calling me to arrange delivery (I have not picked up their calls and leave it on VM);

I have a question: When you say "Pharmacy", is this the hospital in-house pharmacy, or is it an independent pharmacy somewhere else in town?

[beach sunrise]

From your original post the cancer center has 2 strikes against them, ratings and you being uncomfortable.
I agree with 2nd and 3rd opinions. Its your life at stake not theirs.

[Sunnycd]

... (1) everything for my chemo seems to have been ordered already, with the Pharmacy calling me to arrange delivery (I have not picked up their calls and leave it on VM);

I have a question: When you say "Pharmacy", is this the hospital in-house pharmacy, or is it an independent pharmacy somewhere else in town?

Bioplus Specialty Pharmacy, by the phone records, in Florida, but who knows. I have been avoiding answering the call like the plague. My oncologist said she understands my desire for a second opinion but explained that I am running out of the 8 week optimal time after the colon perforation, 6 weeks post (we are just about there now). *just a minor background, maybe too much detail. The whole time, she was standing by the computer, typing my info and barely making eye contact, and this is my FiRST face to face w her. I asked about the treatment, she says “the nurse should have gone through that w you in yst call”, I asked about 3 months vs 6 “no, you need 6 months to be safe”*
That’s when I broke the news of wanting a second opinion. That’s when she sat down, came to my eye level and actually explained things through. She said she actually worked at MSK-NY for 10 years, what the differential would be for me to get the second opinion “chemo or no chemo? Because if it is 3 months vs 6, we can do 3 months and then see”, “I have contacts at MSK, I can facilitate and send to one of my contacts - I declined”, “you understand that the insurance might decline some tests because it was done already and you will pay out of pocket” “the doctors at MSK-Montvale are not the real deal as NYC, they are interns that are just starting out...“you understand that second opinion will take time, sometimes, months? - this freaked me out, and that’s why I said that i will proceed as not to slow down, but meantime, I would still pursue the opinion. She said “ok” and stormed out.

That was the most awkward time of my life. Meanwhile the Cymbalta lady comes by and for the 3rd time asks, so did you decide, and the doctor instead answers as she walks out, “no, she won’t do it” So, I understand that she may be competent and I think her plan is correct, but I feel so uncomfortable with her...

[Green Tea]

...I am still trying to write the fancy signature at the bottom to give a timeline of the diagnosis, etc, but I’m new...

How to create a signature
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=52681&p=421597#p421597

Please note that signatures are limited to 512 characters (including spaces). It's best to create a draft separately in a text editor or word processor, save the draft, and then copy-and-paste this draft into the signature block after you have proofread it and made sure that it is under 512 characters. When typing a signature in the signature window it is a mistake to type a very long signature without saving it because if the signature happens to be over 512 characters when you try to Submit it, the system will delete everything you just typed and you have to start all over again.

[Rock_Robster]

There’s more than enough red flags there for me to be pursuing a second opinion now, but I also wouldn’t delay starting treatment to get it. Honestly capecitabine monotherapy is relatively low risk (particularly in the early period) so it’s probably a low regret option to continue treatment whilst also getting an NCI centre involved. If they were recommending heavy chemo or further surgery you might contemplate waiting for the second opinion. Hopefully MSK (proper, ie NYC) can get back to you quickly. You may not have to move your care over, but if you decide you want to then you can deal with the insurance questions at that point (and MSK have financial people who can help with that).

Best of luck,
Rob

[Green Tea]

... (1) everything for my chemo seems to have been ordered already, with the Pharmacy calling me to arrange delivery (I have not picked up their calls and leave it on VM);

I have a question: When you say "Pharmacy", is this the hospital in-house pharmacy, or is it an independent pharmacy somewhere else in town?

Bioplus Specialty Pharmacy, by the phone records, in Florida, but who knows...

You can get some information about this mail-order pharmacy by reading their on-line patient booklet.

BioPlus Patient Booklet
https://bioplusrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BioPlus_PatientBooklet_190419.pdf

BioPlus Patient Dashboard
https://my.bioplusrx.com/

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The real question right now is: Did you ever sign their consent forms and agree to their Terms of Service?

BioPlus HIPAA Authorization
https://bioplusrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BioPlus_HIPAA-AUTHORIZATION-_1912-1.pdf

BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy Consent
https://bioplusrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BioPlus_SpecialtyPharmacyConsent_1912-1.pdf

BioPlus Assignment and Designation of Authorized Representative
https://bioplusrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BioPlus_Assignment-and-Designation-Of-Authorized-Representative_1904.pdf

If not, then who authorized them to start sending you information and shipments? Did you sign something at the hospital authorizing all of this?

Do you have a copy of your hospital consent form authorizing adjuvant chemotherapy treatment?

Please note that you have certain rights at this hospital, including the right to refuse certain things that the hospital might want you to do:
https://www.englewoodhealth.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-rights-responsibilities

You also have the right to have a copy of your medical data and to authorize certain others to have access to specific parts of your data.
https://www.englewoodhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2000-80.2_Authorization_Release_ENG_08-21-2019.pdf

[debb]

Sorry to be late to this discussion...you've probably made your decision.
I aslo live in New Jersey. I go to see my MSKCC doc in NYC quarterly, and get treatment at the local MSKCC (Monmouoth). i've been to the others in NJ at different times. I hop you got a consult at MSK. With that info, you can be treated locally to you.