Outpatient Daycare Unit

The Location

The Leukemia/BMT Daycare Outpatient Unit is located in The Krall Centre, which is on the 6th floor of the Leon Blackmore Pavilion. The unit is often referred to as the Leukemia/BMT Daycare for short.

Blackmore Pavilion can be accessed from the main hospital entrance on West 12th Avenue, from Jim Pattison Pavilion (JPP) or from the front entrance of the Blackmore Pavilion. Take the elevator in the Blackmore Pavilion to the 6th floor.

The Unit

The Leukemia/BMT Daycare is comprised of 22 treatment rooms where there are chairs, beds or stretchers for patients’ use. Call bells in each room are to be use for urgent requests only. Patients who are able to walk and assist themselves are encouraged to do so.

The Doctors

With the exception of the Clinical Associate doctors, all physicians rotate between the Inpatient Unit and the BMT Daycare Outpatient Unit every 2 to 4 weeks.

In the BMT Daycare Unit, the physician(s) assigned to the unit that month will see you. You will likely see certain physicians more than others. Even though you may not see the same doctor(s) at every visit, rest assured that there will be a Leukemia/BMT Attending doctor and a BMT Fellow or Clinical Associate doctor monitoring your care.

View our team.

Amenities

• Televisions with cable are installed in all treatment rooms for your use.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hospital. Ask for the Wi-Fi password when you arrive.
• Several washrooms are available on the unit for patient use only. A visitor/public washroom is located across from the elevators in the foyer.

Transportation

If you need help with transportation to and from the hospital, talk to the social worker or the nurse. There is a volunteer driver program available. The BMT Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist can also assist you in obtaining a disability permit for your car.

Taxi

Yellow Cabs have a direct phone on the wall between the Gift Shop and lobby on the 1st floor of Jim Pattison Pavilion.

Volunteer Drivers:

The Canadian Cancer Society, in partnership with the Freemasons and other volunteers, may be able to drive patients to their cancer treatment appointments at no cost. Donations accepted. *Please always book two days ahead if possible*.

Freemasons Volunteer Drivers (no charge) 604 872 2034 Covers Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond Operates Monday to Friday.

Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society (no charge) 604 515 5400 Covers North Shore, Tri-cities, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, Delta, Langley, White Rock, New Westminster, Abbotsford, White Rock Operates Monday to Friday.

Volunteer driver information can be found here.

Parking

Pay parking exemption is available for patients undergoing cancer treatment in acute-care settings. For more information or for assistance with parking validation and reimbursement, please contact VCH at commuting@vch.ca or call 604-785-3409 (available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

You may be dropped off at the main entrances to the Jim Pattison Pavilion or Leon Blackmore Pavilion.

Note that there is no temporary parking at these entrances – only active drop-off and pick-up allowed.

Please refer to the included map for parkade locations and prices, these prices are subject to change.

VGH Parkade This is located on Laurel Street and West 12th Avenue. There are two entrances: Laurel Street and West 12th Avenue.

Diamond Health Care Centre Parkade This is located on Laurel Street, between West 10th and West 12th Avenues. There is only one entrance and it is accessible via Laurel Street.

Street Parking: There are metered parking spaces around the hospital on 12th Street, Laurel Street and on the upper ramp of the Jim Pattison Pavilion entrance.

There is free street parking available on the street if you have time to drive around the side streets and don’t mind walking a few blocks. Street parking closer to the hospital have a green 2-hour limit sign between 6am and 6pm. There is no time limit for these spaces at night between 6pm and 6am.

How can I find out more about Disabled parking stickers for my vehicle?

Applications for disabled parking stickers require approval from your doctor. To find out if you qualify, go online www.sparc.bc.ca/parking-permits/apply-for-a-permit/ or call 604- 718-7744 or toll free at 1 888 718 7794.

Additional parking information can be found here.

• Fever of 38°C (100°F) or higher
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Persistent dizziness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Bruising or bleeding
• Rash, blisters or severe skin pain/sensitivity
• Persistent nausea, vomiting
• Not able to take medications
• Diarrhea
• Pain
• Unsteady when walking
• If you have fallen
• Damage to IV line or home IV pump issues
• Any other symptoms causing you concern

The reasons for your visits to BMT Daycare will depend on your individual needs. For this reason, monitoring and treatment will vary from patient to patient. Your visits may include any the following:

• Blood tests
• Vital signs and weights
• Blood and/or platelet transfusions
• Fluid and electrolyte infusions
• IV medications or treatments
• Chemotherapy 
• Stem cell transplant 
• Post transplant care
• Bone marrow aspirates and biopsies
• X-rays, CT scans and other diagnostic tests
• Hickman® line, or PICC line insertion
• Physiotherapy treatments and follow up
• Dietitian and Social Work follow up
• Patient education
• Medication advice and refills 
• To have any health problems or concerns assessed and treated

You will check-in at the Leukemia/BMT Daycare Front Desk with the Unit Clerk. If it is your first visit, you will be given a tour of the unit so you know where to find snacks, warm blankets, ice water, etc. You will be informed of your treatment room locations. There will be an area for clipboards where you can locate a clipboard with your name on it. You will then be directed to your treatment room and your nurse will see you there.

Your nurse will start your treatments, and advise you about what you can expect for your visit. You will have your temperature, pulse and blood pressure checked. You will also be weighed. One of the physicians on the unit will be in to assess you and review your current medications. Most patients will have blood work drawn, and the treatments will be decided based upon the results.

• Medications. On every visit, please bring all your medications and your medication calendar if you have one.
• Lunch & Snacks. If you anticipate a long appointment, bring a lunch, snacks and beverages.
• Comfort Items. Bring along anything that may add to your comfort such as books and slippers.

Caregivers/family members or support people are welcome to accompany you. Space permitting, they can stay with you in the treatment room to assist you or keep you company.

On your first visit, you can expect to stay 2 to 6 hours. The length of visits is determined based on individual needs. Appointments could be up to several hours long.

You will be advised on when to book future follow-up appointments.

It is your responsibility to make these appointments. Leukemia/BMT Daycare does not automatically make them for you. Make all your follow-up appointments with the Unit Clerk at the Front Desk in BMT Daycare.

Although many patients request morning appointments so that they can get on with their day, please remember that we need to schedule appointments on an equal basis throughout the day to ensure all patients get the care and attention they require.

Unscheduled treatments cause back-ups for all patients and longer waits. Please call ahead, even on very short notice, if you need to change or make an appointment.

The Leukemia/BMT Daycare will see patients who need care for unexpected problems during their treatment.

When to call us immediately.

Please call us if you are experiencing any of the symptoms/conditions listed above. Once you call the Leukemia/BMT Daycare, the triage nurse and physician will direct you to either come to daycare, VGH emergency room or an emergency room closer to you.

• If you are taking Cyclosporine or Tacrolimus, do not take the morning dose on days you have an appointment. Bring it with you, and take your morning dose after your blood work is done.
• Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus are supplied to you at no cost except for a dispensing fee. They must be picked up at Lancaster Pharmacy at 601 West Broadway (beside London Drugs), phone 604-873-8585. All other medications can be picked up at any pharmacy of your choice.
• Do not take any medications or drugs, other than those prescribed by the BMT doctor, without checking with the BMT doctor first.
• Do not use rectal suppositories or enemas without permission from the BMT doctor.
• Do not take aspirin/ASA or any medications containing it.
• Do not use recreational drugs such as marijuana, tobacco, cocaine, ecstasy, etc. This can lead to serious or fatal complications. If you have any questions about this, or need support in quitting, let us know.
• Bring enough medication for the day when you go out, in case you are delayed.
• Do not stop any medication unless instructed by your doctor.
• Keep track of your medications. If you are running out of your medication please check with the doctor to see if you need to keep taking them and therefore need a refill.
• If you need a prescription refill, tell the nurse and doctor right away. Do not wait until you are on the last dose. Ask for refills at least 2–3 days ahead on a weekday. This allows time for any unforeseen problems to be solved before you run out of medication. We are unable to give refills on weekends at this time. 

We cannot stress enough how important hand washing is. Therefore we mention it time and time again. It is the most important thing you and your caregiver(s) can do to help prevent the spread of germs and infection.

Upon entering the Leukemia/BMT Daycare, there will be liquid/gel hand cleanser by the door. All persons – patients, visitors and hospital staff – are asked to use it when entering and leaving the unit.

When entering the Leukemia/BMT Daycare, if you are experiencing respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, sniffles and/or cough, even if it is mild, please call ahead before your appointment. Please wear a mask before you proceed to the front desk.  

Please inform the staff if you have developed an unexplained skin rash, respiratory symptoms or other infection. Any one of these may require you to be isolated from other patients.

When isolation is necessary, you will be assigned a room to yourself (or you may share a room with another patient with the same infection). If you are isolated for respiratory symptoms/infections it will only be necessary for you and anyone accompanying you to wear a mask while outside your designated room. You will need to stay in your room for the duration of your appointment. Strict hand washing is required when leaving your room. Staff will wear protective gear when entering.

Isolation procedures will remain in effect until it is determined that the risk to other patients has passed.

CIBC Centre for Patients & Families

The CIBC Centre for Patients & Families is located on the 1st floor of Jim Pattison Pavilion behind the Information Desk. The resource centre has staff available to help you locate information, medical and non-medical, as well as accessing community resources. Internet access and a copy/fax machine are also available for patients and visitors.

Click here to go to the CIBC Centre for Patients & Families web site.

Cafeterias & Food Outlets

• Sassafras Cafeteria offers a wide variety of foods. Relax in its large seating area, which includes lounge chairs, sofas and an outdoor patio. It is located on the 2nd floor of Jim Pattison Pavilion and the 3rd floor of Centennial Pavilion. Sassafras is open every day from 6:30am to 7:00pm.
• Café Ami offers a full range of sandwiches, pastries and cookies. It is located at the main entrance of Jim Pattison Pavilion. Café Ami is open every day from 6:00am to 11:30pm.
• Kookaz Café offers a variety of food, including soups, panninis, pasta dishes, pastries and cookies. It located on the main floor of the Diamond Health Care Centre, across the street from Jim Pattison Pavilion (Laurel Street Exit). Kookaz Café is open Monday to Friday from 6:00am to 5:00pm.
• SaladLoop™ offers a variety of greens/legumes, fruits and beverages. It is located on the main floor of the Diamond Health Care Centre, across the street from Jim Pattison Pavilion (Laurel Street Exit). The SaladLoop™ is open Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm.
• Sushi Bento Nouveau offers hot and cold ready-to-eat Asian food, including sushi combos and noodles. It is located on the main floor of the Diamond Health Care Centre, across the street from Jim Pattison Pavilion (Laurel Street Exit). Sushi Bento Nouveau is open Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 5:00pm.

Interpreters

Health care interpreters are available to help with communication between non-English speaking patients and staff. Interpreting services are also available for Deaf, Deaf-blind and Hard of Hearing patients. If you or your family need an interpreter, please speak to a staff member.

Spiritual Care

In addition to the services provided by the Spiritual Care Practitioners, there is a Sacred Space on the 1st floor of Blackmore Pavilion, near the main entrance. This quiet room within Leukemia BMT daycare is also open to everyone for prayer, meditation and reflection.

Gift Shop

The VGH Gift Shop on the 1st floor of Jim Pattison Pavilion has a wide variety of items, including slippers, toiletries, phone cards, stamps, stationary and assistive devices such as reachers. The Gift Shop is staffed by volunteers and profits are used to benefit hospital patients.

Banking

There are two 24-hour ATM banking machines in the hospital. They are located next to the Gift Shop (Jim Pattison Pavilion, 1st floor) and at the entrance of the Sassafras Cafeteria (Jim Pattison Pavilion, 2nd floor).

Below is a list of parks, playgrounds and walks in the Vancouver General Hospital vicinity.

• The nearest small park is on the corner of Heather & 10th Avenue with benches and a wheelchair accessible path.
• There are two small playgrounds on 13th Avenue near Heather, and on 14th Avenue near Heather.
• There are tennis courts at Heather & 18th Avenue.
• Douglas Park Community Centre is on 20th Avenue between Heather & Laurel. There are drop-in programs for adults and children, a large playground/park, a fitness centre and a training circuit.
• Charleston Park at False Creek is a lovely place for a walk. You can reach it via an overpass from Laurel & 7th Avenue. Note that this area is a steep hill and quite the climb back up to the hospital.
• Granville Island can be accessed on foot via the False Creek waterfront promenade. You can reach the promenade via an overpass from Laurel & 7th Avenue. It is about a 30 to 40 minute walk each way. Note that this area is a steep hill and quite the climb back up to the hospital. Alternatively, you can take transit to Granville Island.
• Stroll through Vancouver’s heritage house neighbourhood on 10th Avenue, 2 blocks east of Cambie Street.
• For flowers & gardens, try Queen Elizabeth Park (free) at Cambie & 33rd Avenue, or VanDusen Gardens (entrance fee) on Oak & 37th Avenue.