Delivering care to oncology patients in the community: an innovative integrated approach.
Issue Date
2014-08Keywords
CANCERCOMMUNITY CARE
MeSH
Community Health NursingCommunity-Institutional Relations
Delivery of Health Care, Integrated
Diffusion of Innovation
Education, Nursing, Continuing
Humans
Ireland
Neoplasms
Oncology Nursing
Program Development
Program Evaluation
Quality of Health Care
Quality of Life
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Delivering care to oncology patients in the community: an innovative integrated approach. 2014, 19 (8):382-7 Br J Community NursPublisher
British Journal of Community NursingJournal
British journal of community nursingDOI
10.12968/bjcn.2014.19.8.382PubMed ID
25089749Abstract
A community oncology nursing programme was developed in Ireland between the hospital and community health services for patients receiving systemic cancer therapy, in response to a service need. A robust evaluation of the pilot programme was undertaken, which found that defined clinical procedures traditionally undertaken in hospitals were safely undertaken in the patient's home with no adverse effects. There was a dramatic decrease in hospital attendances for these defined clinical procedures, and hospital capacity was consequently freed up. Patients valued having aspects of their care delivered at home and reported that it improved their quality of life, including reduced hospital visits and travel time. Community nurses expanded their scope of practice and became partners with oncology day-ward nurses in caring for these patients. Community nurses developed the competence and confidence to safely deliver cancer care in the community. This initiative shows that defined elements of acute cancer care can be safely delivered in the community so long as the training and support are provided. The findings and recommendations of the evaluation resulted in university accreditation and approval for national roll-out of the programme. Integration of services between primary and secondary care is a key priority. This innovative programme is a good example of shared integrated care that benefits both patients and health-care providers.Item Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
1462-4753ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.12968/bjcn.2014.19.8.382
Scopus Count
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