SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-"Cytokine What?!" Deploying Oncology Hospitalist Expertise on a Physician-Led Rapid Response Team Within a Cancer Hospital

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This document describes the development of an oncology-specific rapid response team (RRT) model to improve emergency care for hospitalized cancer patients. As hematology/oncology treatments have advanced—especially CAR-T, BiTE, TIL, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and HSCT—the risk of severe, life-threatening toxicities has also increased. These toxicities include cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity (ICANS), and capillary leak syndrome, which require specialized recognition and management.<br /><br />The project identified a gap in existing RRT coverage: general medicine hospitalists often lacked the training and experience needed to manage complex oncology patients and advanced cellular therapy complications. In response, the team adapted the RRT structure to include Oncology Hospitalists in rapid response calls across the cancer hospital and nearby clinics. This approach leverages their specialized expertise, improves availability of content knowledge, and is intended to provide more effective and timely emergency responses.<br /><br />The initiative is supported by evidence showing that Oncology Hospitalists can improve the quality and efficiency of inpatient cancer care. The program was developed with support from YNHH and Smilow Cancer Hospital, and both inpatient and outpatient oncology teams expressed support for a smaller, more focused emergency response model.<br /><br />Next steps include deploying point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training and workflows, using the eCART early warning system to proactively identify at-risk patients through rounding, and exploring greater independence for Oncology Hospitalists in managing cellular therapy toxicities.

Asset Subtitle

Jared L. Moreines

Meta Tag

Author List Anisha Advani, Chloe Shevlin, Geraldine McSherry, Jared L. Moreines, Jennifer Johnson, Jensa Morris, Laura De Vaux, Melissa McKay, Scott Huntington, Shivi Sharma, Thomas Donohue

Category Innovations

Concept Oncology Hospitalist

Concept Rapid Response Team

Concept Cytokine Release Syndrome

Concept Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome

Concept Hospitalized Cancer Patient

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Yale New Haven Hospital

Presenting Author Jared L. Moreines

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

oncology rapid response team

hematology oncology

cancer patient emergency care

cellular therapy toxicities

cytokine release syndrome

ICANS

Oncology Hospitalists

point-of-care ultrasound

eCART early warning system

hospitalized cancer patients

Oncology Hospitalist

Rapid Response Team

Cytokine Release Syndrome

Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome

Hospitalized Cancer Patient