What is Fast Track (FT)?
Fast Track is a special clinic designed to review laboratory results with patients receiving chemotherapy, or who have low blood counts because of their disease. We see about 70 patients in the FT clinic Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and about 40  patients on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Who will I see in Fast Track?
You will be seen by a Physician Assistant and/or a Nurse Practitioner.

How long will I wait to see a clinician in Fast Track?
After your blood is drawn on the 8th floor, it takes about one to one-and-a-half hours to obtain the lab results. If there are many patients waiting, this time will increase.

If you think you may require a blood transfusion, it is important to have blood drawn early in the morning to ensure a slot in the transfusion unit (TU). Space is limited because many of our patients are transfusion-dependent. The TU is a designated area for leukemia patients to receive blood products and chemotherapy. It's located in the Ambulatory Treatment Center, in the Ambulatory Clinic Building (ACB), floor 8, near Elevator T. 

What should I expect from the clinician?
The clinician will review and interpret your laboratory data. Diagnostic tests, blood products and electrolyte replacement may be ordered. Minor medical problems related to leukemia or chemotherapy (i.e. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores) will be treated.

A limited physical examination will be performed with emphasis on the mouth, heart, lungs and extremities. Vital signs will be obtained at the clinician’s discretion. If you have a fever or are actively bleeding, please go directly to the Emergency Center in the Main Building, floor 1, near Elevator A.

Due to time constraints, we will not be able to discuss disease processes, prognosis, treatment plans, protocols or major medical problems other than leukemia. We will check your current schedule. Future scheduling and questions about the above issues should be discussed with your primary leukemia physician.