EXPANSION OF TELEGENETICS

With the opening of the Sussex Campus, Bayhealth had an opportunity to evaluate the expansion of its telegenetics counseling services — which it offers through a membership with the Penn Cancer Network — for both Oncology patients and those in need of preventative testing for genetic markers.

As Bayhealth Cancer Institute Manager Stephanie McClellan, MBA, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NE-BC, explained, the increasing demand in preventative medicine, the evolving landscape of genetic testing, as well as advancements in knowledge of hereditary cancer syndromes made this extension of services from Kent into Sussex County possible.

“Offering this service also gives patients access to care without having to travel, and it alleviates the barrier that could prevent a patient from receiving necessary testing for treatment and/or surgical options,” said McClellan. The success of this expansion was so great that Bayhealth Medical Oncologist Pranitha Naini, MD (center), joined her colleagues Rishi Sawhney, MD (left), and Priya Singh, MD (right), in the Telegenetics Program. “Having an additional medical oncologist on the team has provided patients in Sussex County with further opportunities and easy access to genetic testing and counseling,” said McClellan. “Dr. Naini and her colleagues have been able to establish routine genetic counseling appointments with our Sussex County patients. Since these services are provided via a telehealth platform, they were able to be maintained even during the height of coronavirus.”

In terms of genetic counseling and testing, these services are extended to any patient who may be interested in the program and, as a result of the recent expansion, with no limitation to campus preference.

TEAMWORK