(843)692-5000

If you are experiencing a true, life-threatening emergency, call 911. Call our office only after you make arrangements to get to the Emergency Room.

Our nurses return calls during business hours as time permits. If the matter is urgent, please tell our receptionist so the nurse or physician can talk with you in the timeliest manner possible. Please understand that calls for test results and prescription refills are returned after we meet urgent patient needs.

Please remember that physicians’ schedules are long and demanding. Out of courtesy to our previously scheduled patients, the physician cannot receive phone calls while examining patients. We ask that you speak with the receptionist regarding the reason for your call. In many instances, our nurses will be able to help you; they are specially trained to respond to clinical problems.

Calls after hours, weekends, and holidays are answered by our answering service. Calls regarding prescription refills, results of diagnostic tests, and patient accounts should be handled during regular business hours.

If you feel you need us, we want to hear from you. Never hesitate to call us for any problem. Please use this as a guide:

Call Anytime – Day or Night – if You Experience:

• Fever of 100.5 F degrees or higher.
• Nausea or diarrhea.
• Pain uncontrolled by medication.
• Chest pains or shortness of breath.
• Shaking or chills.
• Bleeding from the nose or gums.
• Blood in the urine.
• Black, tarry bowel movement.
• Constipation with intense abdominal cramping.
• Changes in your vision or hearing.
• Increased bruising or pinpoint red or purple spots anywhere on the body.

• Questions about your medication, treatment, or side effects.
• Nutrition problems.
• New numbness or tingling of fingers or toes.
• Refills of medication prescribed by our physicians.

• Please call by 3 pm and have your pharmacy’s phone number

• For narcotics such as Percocet, MS Contin or Oxycontin, you must either come into the office for a written prescription or allow 5 days for the written prescription to be mailed. By law, a pharmacy must have a written prescription for any narcotics.

• Lab tests or scans. Results usually take:

• Scans – 48-72 hours
• Tumor Markers – 24 hours
• Bone Marrow – 7-10 days
• Pathology Reports – 3-5 days

Medical Problems Unrelated to Oncology/Hematology

We encourage our patients to continue routine office visits to their family physicians. If you develop a medical problem not related to our field of practice, please contact your family doctor or primary care physician. We regularly update your family physician regarding your progress with treatment.

 Call Your Family Physician Regarding:

• Common infections (colds, flu, etc.)
• General health check-ups or conditions.
• Refills for medications prescribed by your family physician.
• Problems not specifically related to your cancer or blood disorder treatment.