Receiving CAR T-Cell Therapy in the Outpatient Clinic
If your physician decides it is appropriate for you to receive your CAR T-cell treatment as an outpatient, all of your care will take place in Dana-Farber’s outpatient clinic.
Requirements for patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy
in the outpatient setting:
Depending on how you respond to treatment and symptoms you experience, you may need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment or monitoring. If this is needed, you will be admitted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital or the Dana-Farber Inpatient Hospital (located within Brigham and Women’s). Your care will transfer back to the outpatient clinic when your condition stabilizes.
Outpatient Experience
The evaluation, cell collection, manufacturing, and bridging therapy steps are the same for all patients, whether they will receive their CAR T cells in the hospital or the outpatient clinic. The following steps describe the process for patients who receive CAR T in the outpatient clinic.
At the end of this 7- to 14-day period, and depending on how you are feeling, you will transition to weekly appointments at Dana-Farber. At this time, and if approved by your physician, you may return home if you live within 2 hours of Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. If you live more than 2 hours from Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s, you need to plan to stay in short-term accommodations near the hospitals until you reach 30 days after your CAR T infusion.
Requirements for patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy
in the outpatient setting:
- Your caregiver will be with you at all times during and for 30 days after your CAR T-cell infusion.
- Your caregiver is able to receive training to do specific tasks and take vital signs for you for up to 7 to 14 days after your infusion.
- You live or can stay in short-term accommodations within 30 minutes of Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital for up to 14 days after your CAR T infusion.
After this 14-day period, and if approved by your physician, you may return home if you live within 2 hours of Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. If you live more than 2 hours from Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s, you need to plan to stay in short-term accommodations near the hospitals until you reach 30 days after your CAR T infusion.
Depending on how you respond to treatment and symptoms you experience, you may need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment or monitoring. If this is needed, you will be admitted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital or the Dana-Farber Inpatient Hospital (located within Brigham and Women’s). Your care will transfer back to the outpatient clinic when your condition stabilizes.
Outpatient Experience
The evaluation, cell collection, manufacturing, and bridging therapy steps are the same for all patients, whether they will receive their CAR T cells in the hospital or the outpatient clinic. The following steps describe the process for patients who receive CAR T in the outpatient clinic.
- Preparative chemotherapy. This begins 3 to 5 days before your scheduled CAR T infusion.
- CAR T Infusion. This takes place in the clinic and generally takes up to 30 minutes. You will remain in the infusion room for a period of time for monitoring after your infusion.
- Daily appointments and symptom monitoring. For 7 to 14 days after your CAR T-cell infusion:
* You will have daily appointments at Dana-Farber. You will meet with your physician and nurse practitioner/physician assistant, have blood work, and receive infusions if needed.
* Your caregiver will take key vital signs and record them using the workbook provided. Our care team will show your caregiver how to do these tasks.
* Your nurse will call you regularly to check on your symptoms and vital signs.
* You should wear a face mask in any public indoor spaces and practice good hand hygiene.
At the end of this 7- to 14-day period, and depending on how you are feeling, you will transition to weekly appointments at Dana-Farber. At this time, and if approved by your physician, you may return home if you live within 2 hours of Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. If you live more than 2 hours from Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s, you need to plan to stay in short-term accommodations near the hospitals until you reach 30 days after your CAR T infusion.