News

Fox Chase Cancer Center Opens New Clinical Research Unit

PHILADELPHIA (August 2, 2005) -- Fox Chase Cancer Center, designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, announces the opening of the new Clinical Research Unit (CRU), an addition to Fox Chase's West Building, that consolidates most activities involving clinical trials in one area for patient and staff convenience.

The CRU centralizes outpatient investigational trial functions by placing personnel and patients in the same facility, allowing for optimal response both to patient needs and data management requirements.

"Participating in clinical research can be quite demanding, and the easy access and focused services in the new facility take some of the burden off patients during their treatment," says Rosemary Fox, director of infusion room services at Fox Chase. "Plus, it's important to have a geographically collaborative environment where all disciplines involved in clinical research and patient care can interact."

Fox Chase's continuing growth has necessitated physical expansion of the facilities. The need for this addition was indicated by ever-increasing infusion room volume and a desire to accommodate more infusion room patients.

"The CRU's infusion rooms give patients one-on-one relationships with our nurses," explains vice president of ambulatory care Dorothy Riehs. "Patients have more privacy and are more comfortable in these rooms, especially when receiving longer infusions."

The CRU's 9,000-square-foot first floor houses clinical activity while the new 8,000-square-foot protocol management office occupies the second floor. Construction on the addition began in January 2004 and was completed recently. The clinical area was opened in May.

EwingCole, a national firm headquartered in Philadelphia, was the architect, engineer and planner for the new facility. Nason and Cullen, Inc. was the general contractor.