FAQ

The Clinical Psychology Clinic is on the 3rd floor, room 3070. All it takes is to fix an appointment, for example a day before, so as to avoid waiting should the Clinic personnel be out attending patients in the wards.

Tel. +48 61 8850 882

There is also a website http://www.wco.pl/ppk where you can check current opening hours.

Rectoscopy

NOTE: after setting the time of the procedure, please register at the MAIN RECEPTION OFFICE ONE DAY BEFORE if you have not given your phone number when fixing the appointment (we don’t work on Saturday and Sunday!) MAKE SURE BY PHONE IF THE MACHINES ARE OPERATIONAL !!! – Tel. +48 61 8850 576

On the day preceding the procedure, please eat and drink as normal until bedtime. Before going to bed, give yourself an anal enema with: RECTANAL (sold OTC at pharmacies). At 6 a.m., on the day of the procedure, give yourself another anal enema. Medicines that are normally taken in the morning should also be taken on the day of the procedure.

Gastroscopy

NOTE: after setting the time of the procedure, please register at the MAIN RECEPTION OFFICE ONE DAY BEFORE if you have not given your phone number when fixing the appointment (we don’t work on Saturday and Sunday!) MAKE SURE BY PHONE IF THE MACHINES ARE OPERATIONAL !!! – Tel. + 48 61 8850 576

On the day preceding the procedure, please eat and drink as normal until bedtime, but not later than six hours before gastroscopy. Do not eat or drink anything on the day of the procedure. Take with you the medicines you normally take in the morning and swallow them only after gastroscopy is over.

Colonoscopy (with Fortrans or Olopeg)

NOTE: after setting the time of the procedure, please register at the MAIN RECEPTION OFFICE ONE DAY BEFORE if you have not given your phone number when fixing the appointment (we don’t work on Saturday and Sunday!) MAKE SURE BY PHONE IF THE MACHINES ARE OPERATIONAL !!! – Tel. + 48 61 8850 576

On the day preceding colonoscopy, take a light lunch between 2:00 p.m. and 3 p.m. consisting of a soup only. Then, prepare 3 litres of a solution to drink as follows: pour one bag of Fortrans or 1 bottle of Olopeg per one litre of still mineral water or cool pre-boiled tap water (3 portions of the formulation per 3 litres of water). Drink three litres of the solution by the evening within 2-3 hours (you can add some lemon to change the taste or alternate it with some other liquid). Don’t eat anything! You can drink other liquids by midnight. In the morning, before the procedure, you can ONLY wash down pills you use on a permanent basis (high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems etc.) with no more than a half glass of water by 6:00-7:00 a.m.

NOTE: around 7 days before the test you should stop eating foods with seeds, such as fruit, fruit products containing seeds, wholegrain bread, poppy. Come to the test with an accompanying person; you must not drive on that day! For endoscopic procedures we require: recent complete blood count with coagulation test and a document confirming your blood type.

Date of the procedure can be set by calling: +48 61 88 50 529 or personally at the Reception Office of the CT Unit

When registering, you will be requested to provide the following information:

• full name and age;
• full name of your the referring doctor.

On the test day:

• bring with your lab blood test results performed within recent seven days, determining plasma creatinine and urea levels and TSH, T3 and T4 levels if you have thyroid issues; the results should fall with the standard limits; you can also be referred for lab tests by your primary care physician;
• bring with you: prior CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasonography images and results and any medical records held (medical opinions, hospital discharge reports);
• complete the CT questionnaire (if not already done so);
• don’t eat or drink anything for 4-5 hours before the test;
• drugs taken on a daily basis should be taken as prescribed;
• arrive at the lab at a set registration time.

When taking the test, preferably, wear loose comfortable clothes without any metal parts on it, such as buckles, studs or buttons, as these may disturb the image.

You can drive a car right after the CT procedure, and take medicines before it as CT does not affect their activity. To protect pregnant women from the effects of radiation, the procedure should be performed no later than on the 10th day of the cycle (to avoid the exposure to radiation in case of early undiagnosed pregnancy).

NOTE

What should you report to the person performing the exam?

Before the exam:

• any identified allergy or history of allergic reactions to medicines or contrast agents,
• bleeding tendency (purpura),
• pregnancy or suspected pregnancy.

During the exam:

During the procedure, the patient, despite being closed, remains all the time in contact with the technologists. During the exam, the patient should immediately report:

• any sudden issues (e.g. the feeling of claustrophobia),
• any symptoms occurring after the intravenous administration of a contrast agent (shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea).

After the exam:

The administration of iodic contrast agents, which are often used in computed tomography, may sometimes cause:

• dizziness,
• itching,
• feeling hot,
• metallic taste in the mouth,
• palpitation.

After the exam is over, to facilitate the discharge of the contrast agent from the organism, patients are recommended to drink around 2.5 l of still water or unsugared drinks within the next 24 hours. Occasionally, nausea, rush or itching may appear after a procedure involving a contrast agent. It is recommended that such symptoms be reported to a doctor as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact the CT Unit’s personnel, or reception office for advice on how to prepare for the exam at: +48 61 88 50 529.

Results of CT scans are issued within two weeks. In exceptional cases justified by the attending doctor, results may be provided sooner. The patient receives a CD with the exam recorded on it along with a description.

A REFFERAL INCLUDES IN PARTICULAR: Reference of a referring institution, i.e.: Institution identification details: name and registered office, address and telephone number, identification code forming the first part of the ministerial code.

Institution’s organisational unit identification details: name and registered office, address and telephone number, identification code forming the fifth part of the ministerial code.

Patient reference allowing to determine their identity: surname and name(s), date of birth, gender reference, place of residence, PESEL (Personal Identification) number, if awarded; in the case of newborns – mother’s PESEL number; in the case of individuals with no PESEL awarded – type and number of identity document; in the case of a minor, legally incapacitated patient, or a person incapable of giving the informed consent – surname and name(s) of their legal representative and his/her place of residence; – can be omitted.

Reference of the type of institution where the patient is being referred to for treatment or consultation.

Other information or data, in particular the diagnosis made by the referring doctor or diagnostic test results to the extent necessary to carry out examination or consultation.

Date of referral.

Referring doctor’s identification details: full name, position, specialities, license number – in the case of physician, nurse and midwife, signature.

Legal basis: Ministry of Health regulation of 21 December 2010 on types and scope of medical documentation and methods of its processing (Journal of Laws of 29 December 2010, No. 252, item 1697), Act of 6 November 2008 on patient’s rights and the commissioner for patient’s rights (Journal Of Laws from 2009, No. 52, item 417 and No. 76, item 641 and from 2010, No. 96, item 620), Act of 30 August 1991 on health care facilities (Journal of Laws from 2007, No. 14, item 89 as amended).

Medical records are a particular set of data including personal ones. Information on health status included in the medical records are legally protected, as classified into the category of sensitive personal data. Such data are specially protected by law.

An application form for access to medical records can be:

– received from the Central Reception Desk on working days (Monday through Friday), 7:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m

– downloaded from www.wco.pl

– requested by calling the Registration Desk ( Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) at: +48 61 88 50 557

Receipt of medical records: personally, 7:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Medical records can be collected and submitted upon presentation of an official identification document bearing a photo.

The point of accepting applications and issuing a photocopy of medical documentation is at ul. Strzelecka 33A. 

When collected by a person other than indicated in the medical records, an “Authorisation to Release Medical Records” should be submitted; authorisation samples can be received from the Central Reception Desk or downloaded from www.wco.pl

Records are certified at each page for compliance with the original. Fees for issuing an A4 copy (per page) represent 100% of the amount specified in the Act on patient’s rights and the commissioner for patient’s rights, taking into account the current quarterly Central Statistical Office Notice, published in the Monitor Polski official journal, on fees charged for copies of medical records.

Upon patient’s request, medical records can be sent to their home address on a cash on delivery basis. In that case, the patient is charged with additional postage costs, in addition to the access fees.

On-site access to medical records at a pre-agreed date is free.

The Greater Poland Cancer Centre is the only centre in Poland to have carried out for over five years a genetic immunotherapy in melanoma using the so-called Genetically Modified Tumour Vaccine (GMTV), a unique modality developed in Poland (worldwide patented). Patients with spreading disease are given lifetime treatment at intervals of one or two months, and during relapse periods, at intervals of one or two weeks. Year by year, the number of patients undergoing the genetic therapy grows progressively, and in view of the effectiveness of the treatment, the number of patients taking a long-term therapy (more than 10 patients have been treated for approx. 4 years now) is also increasing. Currently, more than 220 are being treated with that novel method. GMTV therapy is delivered on an ambulatory basis. In the near future, GMTVs will be applied preventively in patients with advanced primary melanoma focus meaning a significant growth in the number of patients managed. Fore details concerning the vaccine contact Prof. Andrzej Mackiewicz – Head of the Cancer Diagnosis and Immunology Department. Department Office phone number: +48 (61) 8850-665

You need a referral to see a surgical oncologist (who deals with the removal of nevi, moles, etc.). Prior registration is required for that clinic. Registration can be made personally by calling at the Reception Desk with your referral, identity card and document confirming entitlement to free services (pensioner social security card, etc.) or by phone at +48 061 8 850 557, Monday to Friday, from 7:00 a.m. To 6:00 p.m.

Yes, you do need a referral for mammotome biopsy. We suggest you should register at the Surgical Oncology Clinic.

Response from the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection:

Such employee data as name, business email address or business phone number are strictly related to the employee’s professional career and the performance of his/her professional duties. Therefore, such data may be used by the employer, including without any consent of the person concerned. That view is shared by the Supreme Court (judgement of 19 November 2003) case ref. I PK 590/02) concluding that “people are the most significant component of a work place (enterprise), and the operation of a work place is closely associated with external contacts with clients, customers (…). Therefore, an employer may not be deprived of the possibility to disclose the names of its employees who hold specific positions within that entity. Otherwise, the employer would be paralysed or heavily restricted in their operations without any reasonable justification in terms of protection of employees’ interests and rights.(…) Employees’ names are placed on doors of their offices, stamps, job-related letters, and presented in institution and enterprise information leaflets, meaning that, according to a common practice, they are basically non-confidential”. Thus, employee information can be published on employer’s websites unless such data relate to employees’ private life.

GMTV treatments (Genetically Modified Tumor Vaccine ) are delivered by a team led by Prof. Andrzej Mackiewicz – Head of the Cancer Diagnosis and Immunology Department. Tel. (Department Office) + 48 8850-665.

Research on genetic background of cancer are carried out by the Cancer Genetics Clinic:

contact: +48 (61) 8850-665

A GP referral to the Genetics Clinic is only required at the first visit.

The current phone number to the Registration Desk is + 48 (61) 88-50-557, available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you are from Poznań, personal registration is the best idea.

Yes, but a referral from a physician is required.

The Greater Poland Cancer Centre offers CT-guided biopsy as part of its CT Unit services. Details on date and possibility to perform paid procedure can be received by calling + 48 (61) 8850 529.

Prostate cancer treatment by the ablatherm method is not performed in Poland. That method is still regarded to be experimental, its effectiveness being unproven. That is of particular importance in the treatment of diseases where many proven methods are at our disposal.

To start treatment at our Centre, simply register at any clinic, for example Surgery. The registration procedure is available at our website under the tab For Patients – How to register? We suggest you should take with you your existing medical records to enable instant decision on further follow-up or treatment. Another solution is a referral from your previous doctor directly for our Centre; preferably, indicating a doctor to continue treatment or observation. Information on our medical personnel, departments and clinics are available at our website under Our staff and Organisational structure.

Research on genetic background of cancer are carried out at our Centre by the Cancer Genetics Clinic:

contact: +48 (61) 8850-665

Tests are free. Costs are reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ). If a cancer-inducing gene is found, the patient is brought under permanent care of the clinic, including regular medical check-ups. For more information, see the clinic’s website:

Cancer Genetics

It is not necessary, unless a physician (in this case a surgical oncologist) decides otherwise in the process of treatment.

Magnetic resonance is one of the methods of radiological diagnosis. It does not involve X-rays. Magnetic resonance imaging consists in obtaining images of human body by using the physical phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance. Human body is placed into a homogeneous constant magnetic field where very short electromagnetic signals are generated with radio wave frequency. This stimulates protons in the patient’s body. Stimulated protons emit magnetic resonance signals. It is a diagnostic method that ensures a very high resolution, thus enabling even very small pathological lesions to be detected (including cancer). Magnetic resonance is used primarily in brain and spinal canal diagnosis, but also in cases when CT scans are not clear enough or fail to indicate anything. That method is also very useful in diagnosis of the osteoarticular system, e.g. in the analysis of soft tissue. The procedure is painless and similar to computed tomography, but a little bit noisy, as a buzzing sound is produced in the process. Normally, the test takes 20-30 minutes. You can have your breakfast on the same day, but it is recommended that no meals should be eaten within 2-4 hours before the procedure. Metal items disturb the image, so you should take off your rings, watch, ear-rings, etc.

Ambulatory treatment and hospitalisation at our Centre is financed from our patients’ health insurance; therefore, we do not provide any private services (on a paid basis), unless the patients has no health insurance. The price lists for patients who are not entitled to free health care services and external entities is available at our Centre’s website: paid services. Registration procedure is the same as for insured persons. For detailed registration rules, click on this link.

Results are issued by a physician in the clinic who will inform you of further treatment. Registration must be made for every single follow-up visit.

To be admitted, you need to register in our surgery clinic (bring your existing medical records and referral with you). The physician in the clinic will set the date of admission and surgery. The registration procedure is available at our website www.wco.pl under the tab For Patients – How to register?