How does OPNP support patients?
OPNP helps to provide patients with timely access to diagnostics closer to home.
OPNP staff help complete clinical assessments of patients, review patient symptoms and organize testing (e.g., diagnostic imaging, blood work) with the patient and their caregivers. Other supports through OPNP:
- Provide virtual (phone) assessments, support and education to patients and their caregivers.
- Maintain communication with patients and provide patients with direct contact information for an OPNP staff member.
- Determine priority for patient testing and follow-up as required.
- Alert physicians to critical results.
- Provide patients with direct contact information with the OPNP team.
- Advocate for patient concerns and issues.
- Liaise with groups, departments, disciplines and organizations at the local and regional levels.
- Engage in collaborative problem solving and planning strategies to resolve identified service gaps or delays.
How do you connect with OPNP?
A patient can be referred by a physician or nurse practitioner to OPNP through multiple avenues including from their primary care provider, through a visit to the Emergency Department, urgent care centre or other specialty services.
Does OPNP help patients with all types of cancer?
Currently, OPNP helps support patients diagnosed with cancers in the lung, pancreas, rectum, liver, head and neck, colon, gallbladder and biliary tract, anus, esophagus and peritoneal cancer.
Since each diagnosis has different criteria, the OPNP staff can help navigate the specific next steps required.
Once connected with OPNP, what can you call staff about?
The first call with OPNP will be initiated by the staff member – they will call you. After the first call, you can call the staff member you are connected with about:
- Questions about testing including location, timing or preparation for scans or biopsies.
- Worsening disease symptoms that are being investigated by OPNP.
