Creating critical care oncology beds.

The emergence of specialized oncology practices such as bone marrow transplantation has resulted in a higher incidence of critical complications and complex needs, which has led many oncology units to develop new strategies to care for the patients in the oncology unit. Designated oncology intensive care unit (ICU) beds and a dedicated trained staff is one method of delivery; other institutions transfer patients to existing ICUs, and some have equipped the entire oncology unit for critical care interventions. It is necessary to evaluate key issues when providing critical care to patients with cancer.