Cancer

Cottage Health System provides comprehensive services across the continuum of cancer care, from prevention and early detection to cancer treatment and management. Our Cancer Program offers state-of-the art diagnostic and treatment technologies, specialized expertise, and a caring, personal approach to patient care right here in Santa Barbara.

Our patients are cared for by a cancer team made up of physicians and clinicians from medical and radiation oncology and specialists from diagnostic radiology, surgery, urology, gynecology, and nuclear medicine.

To ensure the continuity of care for our patients, Cottage also works with other cancer treatment programs in the area including the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara, Sansum-Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic, and area physicians. Our success rates consistently meet or exceed national standards.

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is approved by the American College of Surgeons (ACOS) as an accredited Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program. We are committed to meeting and exceeding the Commission's standards for performance, quality improvement, cost-effectiveness, and providing a comprehensive, integrated approach to cancer care.

Our 25-bed inpatient Adult Oncology Unit is dedicated to providing total quality care for the cancer patient. There are ten private rooms allowing for care of the severely immuno-compromised patient and five spacious semiprivate rooms. Our nursing staff consists of 25 registered nurses all trained and certified to administer chemotherapy. Additionally, ten of our registered nurses are oncology certified.

In the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Oncology Unit, our patients are like an extended family. Our nurses and staff strive to create a comfortable environment that meets the needs of the cancer patient. Patient education is a major focus of the floor and the nursing staff is especially proud of the unit's excellent physician-nurse collaboration that exists to ensure that the needs of the cancer patient and their families are being met every day.

The Oncology Unit maintains a liberal visiting policy and is supportive of family involvement in care. Families may stay overnight in the private rooms and a large family room is available for a quiet meeting outside of the patient's room. We also have a portable TV/VCR with a video library and a pet therapy program.

Research

Cottage Health System has an active research program. Cottage physicians participate in research organized by the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara and work with adult and pediatric patients to administer study protocols. Our research provides patients access to the latest medications and new study protocols.

Complementary Therapies

Cottage's team of doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, physical therapists, and clergy recognizes the diversity and uniqueness of every person, especially those who are facing cancer. We are committed to offering support and comfort to the body, the mind, and the spirit. If you participate in other modalities and complementary therapies we encourage you to be open with your physician about these therapies and discuss them with your caregivers.