Referring or Becoming a Patient

New patients appointments can usually be scheduled within two weeks of the intial request for an appointment. It is advisable for patients to be seen as quickly as possible, preferably before receiving treatment elsewhere. This maximizes treatment options for the best possible outcome.

If I am a physician, how do I refer a patient to the Institute?
Please call:
Local: 501-686-7105
Toll Free: 1-888-MYELOMA (693-5662)
Or
Use our secure web form to submit information now. 

If I am an individual with Myeloma, how do I become a patient of the Myeloma Institute?
You or your physician may contact us via phone or Internet to schedule an appointment.  When you call, please have as much information as possible (e.g., diagnosis and date of diagnosis; chemotherapy history; referring physician's name, address, phone number, fax number; your insurance policy information). We try to schedule appointments within 2-4 weeks. 

The assistant who takes your call will send you a packet of information about the Myeloma Institute.  Included with the packet are maps and a list of area hotels.  One of the Myeloma Institute nurses may call you or your physician if there is specific medical information that needs to be discussed prior to your appointment.  We will advise you and your physician about medical records that should be brought with you on your first visit.  Your records from prior treatment are useful in the process of making a diagnosis and outlining a treatment plan.  We will keep your physician informed about the progress of your care at the Myeloma Institute.

What if I live outside the United States?
International patients are welcome at the Institute. You may contact one of the following for assistance:

Jo Smith, Director, Special Services, 501-526-6261, or e-mail

Jane Corley, Patient Coordinator for Special Services, 501-686-7133, or e-mail

Kristen Hooper, Financial Coordinator for Special Services, 501-526-6229, or e-mail

The Myeloma Institute has access to a large number of medical interpreters, certified to translate health information for patient and family members in languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Italian and Vietnamese. Click here for a list of the interpreters and how to contact them.
 

What happens during my initial visit?
A first-time visit to the Myeloma Institute is an extensive, comprehensive evaluation of your disease, entailing a stay in Little Rock of up to seven days. Multiple testing, nurse and physician visits, and preliminary procedures can be expected.

Upon the arrival at the Myeloma Institute clinic, located on the 5th floor of the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, you will first go through the registration process. Health insurance information, as well as general information, will be collected.  After this registration has been completed, you will be directed to visit with a financial counselor. The assistant who takes your call will send you a packet of information about the Myeloma Institute. Included with the packet are maps and a list of area hotels.

In the clinic, you will meet with a nurse who goes over past medical history, reviews our program, discusses involvement with your local physician, and identifies support services that are in place to assist you. A lot of information is presented, and this is a good time for you to ask questions.  The nurse will give you a packet of orders for various tests.  The next two days will be spent completing the various testing (lab work, bone marrow biopsy, x-ray and MRI, and bone density).

After testing has been completed, you will be presented by the nurse to the physician who will be caring for you.  This can be a lengthy visit.  The physician may want to order additional testing or procedures at this point.  Based on this visit, a course of treatment may be outlined, and future visits to the Myeloma Institute, if indicated, planned.  Results of this first visit will be sent to your referring physician.

There is a lot of information to process during this first visit, and there are many individuals who are available to help, including social workers and volunteers who know their way around the medical facility.  Financial counselors are available to help sort through insurance issues.  We try to anticipate our patients' needs, but we encourage you to ask for additional information and assistance when needed.

How will my doctor at home be kept up to date about my treatment at the Myeloma Institute?
Myeloma Institute physicians work in close collaboration with patients’ local doctors. Reports based on clinic visits and inpatient hospitalizations are sent to local doctors on a regular basis. In addition, local doctors can view patient progress information through MDLink, a Web-based program that allows local doctors access to their patients’ UAMS treatment results in a timely and secure manner.

http://physicianlink.uams.edu/md_link/md-link.asp

New Program Started at MIRT…

“Veteran” Patients Available to Assist New Patients

The Myeloma Institute has enlisted a group of veteran patients to serve as advisors and sounding boards for new patients.

Veteran patients know better than anyone what new patients are going through. They can be good listeners, offer advice, and alleviate concerns.

The program is purely optional. New patients who would like to be contacted by a long-term patient can let the Intake Office know. We will then arrange for one of the veteran patient volunteers to contact the new patient.

Intake Office Phone Numbers: 888-693-5662; 501-686-7105

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The information on the Myeloma Institute web site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical attention. The information is intended only as an aid in understanding current medical knowledge. A physician should always be consulted for any health concern or medical condition. The Myeloma Institute web site provides links to other organizations as a service to our readers. The Myeloma Institute is not responsible for the information provided on other web sites.