37934, Knoxville, Tennessee Lung Cancer Score Hospital Score

The Hospital Score for the Lung Cancer Score in 37934, Knoxville, Tennessee is 42 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

## Lung Cancer Care in Knoxville: A Scorecard for Patients Near 37934

Finding the right hospital for lung cancer treatment is a critical decision. This review provides a fact-rich overview of hospitals near the 37934 ZIP code in Knoxville, Tennessee, focusing on key metrics relevant to lung cancer care. We'll examine flagship institutions, CMS star ratings, ER wait times, specialized centers, and telehealth capabilities to help patients make informed choices.

**The Landscape of Care:**

Knoxville offers a range of healthcare options, with two major players dominating the market: University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) and Covenant Health. Both systems have multiple facilities in and around the 37934 area, providing varying levels of specialized care.

**University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC): A Flagship Institution**

UTMC, located at 1924 Alcoa Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920, serves as the primary teaching hospital for the University of Tennessee. It's a Level I Trauma Center and a major referral center for the region.

* **CMS Star Rating:** UTMC currently holds a 3-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This rating reflects the hospital's performance across various quality measures, including patient outcomes, safety, and patient experience. While a 3-star rating is considered average, it's crucial to delve deeper into specific areas of lung cancer care.
* **Lung Cancer Specialty:** UTMC boasts a comprehensive cancer program, including a dedicated lung cancer center. This center offers multidisciplinary care, bringing together pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists.
* **Thoracic Surgery:** The hospital performs a high volume of thoracic surgeries, a key indicator of expertise in lung cancer treatment. The availability of minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), is essential for faster recovery times.
* **Radiation Oncology:** UTMC's radiation oncology department utilizes advanced technologies like stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which are crucial for delivering precise radiation doses to tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
* **Medical Oncology:** The medical oncology team provides chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. Access to clinical trials is a significant advantage, offering patients access to cutting-edge treatments.
* **ER Wait Times:** ER wait times at UTMC can fluctuate. Patients should expect to wait, on average, between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the time of day and the severity of other patients' conditions. Checking current wait times online or by phone before arriving is advisable.
* **Telehealth:** UTMC has expanded its telehealth offerings, including virtual consultations for oncology patients. This allows for convenient follow-up appointments, medication management, and access to specialists without requiring in-person visits. The hospital's telehealth platform is user-friendly, allowing patients to connect with their care team from the comfort of their homes.
* **Accreditations and Certifications:** UTMC is accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons, demonstrating its commitment to providing high-quality cancer care.

**Covenant Health: A Network of Care**

Covenant Health is another major healthcare provider in the Knoxville area, with several hospitals and facilities within the 37934 ZIP code vicinity. This system offers a network of care, allowing patients to access different services within the same organization.

* **Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center:** Located at 1901 W Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is a flagship hospital within the Covenant Health system.
* **CMS Star Rating:** Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center holds a 4-star rating from CMS, indicating a higher level of quality compared to UTMC.
* **Lung Cancer Specialty:** Fort Sanders has a dedicated cancer program, including a lung cancer center. The hospital emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, with a team of specialists collaborating on patient care.
* **Thoracic Surgery:** Fort Sanders performs thoracic surgeries, with a focus on minimally invasive techniques.
* **Radiation Oncology:** The hospital utilizes advanced radiation therapy technologies.
* **Medical Oncology:** Fort Sanders offers a range of medical oncology services, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.
* **ER Wait Times:** ER wait times at Fort Sanders can vary. Patients should check current wait times before visiting.
* **Telehealth:** Fort Sanders offers telehealth services, including virtual consultations for oncology patients.
* **Accreditations and Certifications:** Fort Sanders is accredited by the CoC.

* **Parkwest Medical Center:** Located at 9352 Park West Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37923, Parkwest Medical Center is another hospital within the Covenant Health system.
* **CMS Star Rating:** Parkwest holds a 4-star rating from CMS.
* **Lung Cancer Specialty:** Parkwest has a cancer program that offers lung cancer treatment.
* **Thoracic Surgery:** Parkwest performs thoracic surgeries.
* **Radiation Oncology:** The hospital offers radiation therapy.
* **Medical Oncology:** Parkwest provides medical oncology services.
* **ER Wait Times:** ER wait times at Parkwest can vary.
* **Telehealth:** Parkwest offers telehealth services.
* **Accreditations and Certifications:** Parkwest is accredited by the CoC.

**Comparing the Hospitals:**

When choosing between UTMC and the Covenant Health hospitals, several factors should be considered.

* **CMS Star Ratings:** Fort Sanders and Parkwest (both Covenant Health) currently have higher CMS star ratings than UTMC. This suggests potentially better overall quality, although these ratings don't specifically focus on lung cancer care.
* **Specialized Centers:** Both UTMC and Fort Sanders have dedicated lung cancer centers. The specific expertise and resources within each center should be evaluated.
* **Surgeon Experience:** The experience of the thoracic surgeons is a critical factor. Patients should inquire about the surgeons' training, experience with specific procedures, and the volume of surgeries performed.
* **Technology and Treatments:** Both systems offer advanced radiation therapy and medical oncology treatments. Patients should ask about the availability of specific technologies and therapies, such as SBRT, immunotherapy, and access to clinical trials.
* **Telehealth:** Both systems offer telehealth services, which can be convenient for follow-up appointments and consultations.
* **ER Wait Times:** ER wait times can vary. Patients should check current wait times before visiting.
* **Patient Experience:** Consider patient reviews and testimonials to gauge the overall patient experience.

**Other Considerations:**

* **Proximity:** The proximity of the hospital to the patient's home is a practical consideration, especially for frequent appointments and treatments.
* **Insurance Coverage:** Confirm that the hospital and its specialists are in-network with the patient's insurance plan.
* **Support Services:** Cancer treatment involves more than just medical care. Inquire about the availability of support services, such as patient navigators, support groups, and counseling.
* **Second Opinions:** Seeking a second opinion from another oncologist is always advisable, especially when dealing with a complex diagnosis like lung cancer.

**Beyond the Hospitals:**

While the focus is on hospitals, the broader healthcare ecosystem plays a role.

* **Pulmonologists:** The pulmonologist who initially diagnoses the lung cancer is a key player. Patients should ensure they are comfortable with their pulmonologist and that they are part of a collaborative team.
* **Primary Care Physicians:** The primary care physician can provide ongoing support and coordination of care.

**Making the Decision:**

Choosing a hospital for lung cancer treatment is a personal decision. Patients should gather as much information as possible, ask questions, and consider their individual needs and preferences. This review provides a starting point for research, but a thorough consultation with a pulmonologist, oncologist, and other specialists is essential. By carefully evaluating the available options, patients can make an informed decision and receive the best possible care.