Developing a transfer center in a tertiary cancer center: streamlining access and communication to accommodate increasing demand for service.

Hospital-to-hospital transfers in a tertiary cancer center present an unusual set of problems involving a diverse group of acutely ill patients with highly specialized needs. The level and urgency of care required and the costs of providing optimal management often are exceedingly high. We present the administrative issues involved during a major revamping and streamlining of the Transfer Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.