When Harry D’Amato started having stomach problems, he went to his primary care physician for a check-up, hoping that he would begin to feel better soon. However, in February, Harry was given devastating news that he was suffering from both liver and pancreatic cancer and would need to see a specialist right away.

At 63 years old, D’Amato is very active. He works full time, and he and his wife, are raising their grandchildren. “I am not ready to check out yet, so I am going to fight this with everything I have,” says D’Amato. His family physician, Anthony DiMarco, D.O., provided him with the 1-866-695-HOPE line (1-866-695-4673) that connects patients who have cancer to a Crozer-Keystone specialist.

“When I called the number, I wasn’t sure what I would get. I know I needed to see a doctor right away,” D’Amato says. 

Wendy Proctor, Delaware County Regional Cancer Center representative, answered the phone and provided D’Amato with the information he would need to schedule an appointment, and then followed up with him to make sure he received an appointment in a timely fashion.

“Wendy was my life-line. She threw me a much-needed rope to help me climb through what could have been a nightmare. She was calming, reassuring and most important she listened to me. I got in to see Dr. Vivacqua within 24 hours and, although I am fighting for my life, I feel like Crozer has given me a plan, hope and I will always be grateful for the HOPE line because I didn’t have to wait for an appointment,” he says.

The HOPE line provides services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you call, a live attendant will take your request. During weekdays, you are connected to a representative in the cancer program who will assess your needs and work to get you an appointment as quickly as possible. On nights and weekends, you can submit your request to a live attendant, and a CKHS representative will call you on the next business day to set up an appointment. You can also visit http://ckcancer.crozer.org to make a request via Crozer-Keystone’s website.

The line is ideal for people who have been diagnosed with cancer and need treatment, are looking for a second opinion, or think they may be at risk for cancer, have symptoms of cancer or need a cancer screening. Physicians offer services at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Springfield Hospital, Taylor Hospital and the Crozer Medical Plaza at Brinton Lake.

D’Amato is not alone in finding help over the phone. Crozer-Keystone provides several toll free phone numbers to make it easier for members of the community and physician offices to request appointments and tests at Crozer-Keystone hospitals.

Medical Imaging

For outpatient medical imaging services, you can call 1-866-5-CK-XRAY (1-866-525-9729) or visit http://ckimaging.crozer.org to request an appointment. You can request an appointment for any medical imaging services at any CKHS facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Services are provided by an experienced, caring staff specially trained in understanding and meeting the needs of the patient. The phone line also provides patients with timely appointments. The staff can find the site and time most convenient for the patient. 

“We do all the work,” says Karen Piselli, assistant coordinator in Radiology, “Often people will call and are nervous or anxious. It is our job to put them at ease, answer their questions and get their appointment where and when they want it without hassle.”

Crozer-Keystone Human Motion Institute

The 1-877-CK-MOTION (1-877-256-6846) line assists patients in requesting an appointment with Crozer-Keystone Human Motion Institute physicians and services. This line is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A call center representative will answer your questions. The Human Motion Institute offers comprehensive services to pinpoint your problem and return you to normal function as quickly and safely as possible. You can also visit http://ckhshmi.crozer.org to get more information or request an appointment.

Throughout Crozer-Keystone, highly trained teams of physicians, surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, rehabilitation specialists and support personnel work closely with you and your primary care physician. Human Motion Institute services include appointments with orthopedic physicians, podiatrists, sports medicine physicians, physiatrists, rheumatologists, neurosurgeons, physical therapists and occupational therapists.

“We have a lot of information that the general caller doesn’t have at their finger tips,” says Kristen Creighton, assistant vice president of Operations at Taylor Hospital. “We find out why you are calling and then make sure you get an appointment with the physician or therapist who can best meet your needs.”

Sleep Disorders

“Our newest line is 1-866-SLEEP-03 (1-866-753-3703),” Creighton says. “This provides prompt appointments for sleep studies or physician appointments for patients who are experiencing sleep disorders,” Creighton says.  “We have an accredited, multidisciplinary program for the investigation and treatment of sleep problems. The sleep program has been evaluating patients for 30 years and is the oldest nationally accredited program in the Delaware Valley.”

The sleep centers take into consideration patients’ schedules and comfort, providing hotel-like accommodations and flexible hours such as day, night and weekend sleep studies. Services are available at the Crozer Health Pavilion at Brinton Lake in Glen Mills, Delaware County Memorial Hospital and Taylor Hospital. You can also visit http://sleepcenters.crozer.org for more information or to request an appointment.

Cardiac Testing

Another service that Crozer-Keystone offers is the 1-866-95-PULSE line (1-866-957-8573). The line makes it easier for callers to request a quick appointment for non-invasive cardiology tests such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress echo, treadmill exercise study and holter monitoring. You can also request an appointment online at http://ckheart.crozer.org

Michele Gillespie, administrative director of Cardiology at Crozer-Chester and Springfield, says, “This is a good service because it is much easier for patients to call one phone number and get to the right doctors and get the right information. Cardiac-related tests can sometimes be confusing if you are not sure whom to call. This service makes it easier for members of the community and physician offices to schedule cardiac-related tests at Crozer-Keystone hospitals.”

The PULSE line is also available to patients and physician offices 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Senior Services

The Senior Support Line, 1-800-CKHS-KEY (1-800-254-7539), provides callers with a direct connection to Crozer-Keystone programs for seniors, such as geriatric behavioral health services, the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Program, dementia-specific and medical adult day services as well as exercise programs for seniors with medical conditions.

Additionally, Senior Support Line serves as a bridge to services between Crozer-Keystone inpatient hospitals and community agencies. The line connects callers to local and national community-based services, including the Area Agency on Aging about nursing homes, other long-term-care facilities and the National Alzheimer’s Association. Callers are provided information about their health insurance and prescription needs.

Barbara Alexis  Looby, administrative director for Senior Health Services, “Our seniors are very grateful for the assistance they receive, they are often overwhelmed by the process of accessing services and many are unaware of the resources they have at their disposal. Through the support line, we have created a system to streamline the process. The callers to this line are often coping with multiple medical and psychosocial issues. With one phone call we are able to identify the needs of the senior who is calling, make the appropriate referral and support them in the process of accessing care. The Senior Support Line assists seniors and their care providers in gaining better access to multiple clinical and social services.”

Ask Evelyn Hughes, who recently contacted the Senior Health Services line because she needed assistance with getting prescription medication.

“I didn’t know how I was going to get my prescriptions filled. They can be very expensive each month, but you need them to stay healthy. The help line was friendly and proactive with helping me get to the right people with the tools to help me fill my prescriptions in a fast and timely manner. I will always be grateful for this service,” says Hughes.

Crozer-Keystone Call Center

1-800-CK-HEALTH (1-800-254-3258) is available for callers who need a physician referral or have a question regarding the many services and programs offered throughout the health system.

Among some of the services that the Call Center provides are referrals for patients needing information about physicians’ specializations, locations and medical education. The call center also provides scheduling and registration for activities organized by CKHS such as the Center for Diabetes, Healthplex® Sports Club, and Employee Wellness, to name a few.

The Call Center also confirms appointments, responds to e-mails sent to www.crozer.org and helps to direct callers to a department that can best serve their needs. 

Connect with Crozer-Keystone

• Call 1-866-695-HOPE (1-866-695-4673) or visit http://ckcancer.crozer.org to request an appointment with a cancer specialist
• Call 1-8666-5-CK-RAY (1-866-525-9729) or visit http://ckimaging.crozer.org to request a medical imaging appointment
• 1-877-CK-MOTION (1-877-256-6846) or visit http://ckhsmi.crozer.org to request an appointment with a Crozer-Keystone Human Motion Institute physician or service
• Call 1-866-SLEEP-03 (1-866-75337-03) or visit http://sleepcenters.crozer.org to request an appointment at one of the Crozer-Keystone Sleep Centers
• Call 1-866-95-PULSE (1-866-95-78573) or visit http://ckheart.crozer.org to schedule a cardiac test appointment
• Call 1-800-CKHS-KEY (1-800-254-7539) for the Senior Support Line, connecting callers to senior-specific services
• 1-800-CK-HEALTH (1-800-254-3258) or www.crozer.org for the Crozer-Keystone Call Center, offering physician referrals and more.