Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Cancer Patients

Cancer patients are uniquely vulnerable to infectious diseases like COVID-19, which is caused by the coronavirus. In fact, patients who are in active treatment are at 10 times greater risk of having severe complications from COVID-19. Additionally, cancer survivors have a 3-to-4 times greater risk of having severe complications from COVID-19.

While we understand the CDC’s new masking guidelines are long-awaited words, masks continue to play an important role in preventing spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. For patients of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, we recommend that you continue to wear a mask both indoors and outdoors. With your medical history, you are more vulnerable to contract COVID-19 and your response to the vaccine may not be as effective as those in the general population.

To protect our patients and staff from infection, we have implemented the following guidelines for all of our locations:

• Cancer patients and caregivers should avoid all domestic and international travel involving public transportation. Review the CDC-recommended travel precautions.
• Cancer patients and caregivers should not participate in any local, regional and/or national meetings, conferences and other large gatherings. Instead, we encourage you to participate in these events using virtual technology, if possible. Meetings and events organized by the cancer center are currently being rescheduled.
• To reduce the risk of infection, only employees of the cancer center, health system and medical center who are involved in patient care may enter our patient care facilities. Vendors and guests who are not accompanying patients may not enter until further notice.
• For ongoing quality, efficiency and convenience, we are transitioning many appointments to telehealth visits. This is especially important to ensure the seamless continuation of ongoing cancer treatment. Contact your cancer care team to discuss continuing your care by telehealth. Learn more about our telehealth services.
• We are testing all patients prior to cancer treatment, surgery, radiation therapy or who may be receiving other types of procedures. We do this to proactively ensure the safety of our patients and staff and help us provide the best individualized plans of care.

To protect our patients and staff from infection, we have implemented the following guidelines:    

Patient screening process at registration/arrival

Our staff will ask:

• If you have any symptoms, including fever, cough and difficulty breathing
• If you have traveled recently or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19        

Outpatient visits at our cancer center clinics throughout the health system

1 visitor per patient during exams only. No visitors are allowed in treatment (applies at all locations). To enable physical distancing and prevent virus spread, these appointments are for patients only.

There are limited exceptions. A patient who has mobility or cognitive issues, requires a designated driver, is younger than 18, or has a particularly critical visit scheduled (such as a new patient or a treatment change) may be accompanied by a caregiver, guardian or guest.

Anyone who has a fever or other cold or flu-like symptoms will not be allowed in our facilities. No COVID-19-positive visitors are allowed.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to protect the health and safety of our patients, staff and visitors during this unprecedented time.