Considering patients are receiving chemotherapy, blood transfusions, antibiotic therapy, and nutritional support, pain/symptom management, postoperative care and palliative care, the oncology certified nurses employ a holistic approach to each patient, based on the latest clinical research and on well-founded methodologies. The clinical nurse/specialist must maintain high standards of care and keep themselves up-to-date on new therapies.
The inpatient oncology unit team must include full-time oncology assistants who provide psychosocial support, financial guidance and short- or long- term placement where and when needed. The supervisor coordinates and discharges needs and works closely with the associates and occupational therapists that assist with medical clinical interventions. AML patients need spiritual growth as well so the need for complementary therapies such as music therapy, therapeutic touch, and entertainment as part of the discharge plan.
Patients’ liaisons are responsible for making daily visits to each outpatient to assure they meet their needs. (Yarbro, Goodman and Frogge, 2005) Discharge plan includes a formation of Inpatient Oncology Unit consisting of private rooms where patients receive state-of-the-art care. Focus is on the physical and emotional needs of patients who need to stay in the hospital to assure they receive the care required for their AML treatment.
The registered nurses certified in oncology and chemotherapy administration ought to work with board-certified medical and radiation oncologists to deliver care such as: chemotherapy, blood transfusion, pain management, symptom management and end-of-life care. Benefits of Oncology Unit first of all include high quality nursing care because of the certified personnel. Nurses are qualified by the Oncology Nursing Society. Secondly these are professionals who are able to listen with care and compassion and attend to details.
Thirdly this are patients who are in constant change from room to another due to various special care required. The care takers should be able to dynamically offer the continued care whether patients are moving from one emergency room to a hospital bed on the oncology unit or going back home to start outpatient care. In collaboration with professional caregivers in each setting they are able provide a throughout treatment course known as coordinated continued care. Fourthly to ensure that patients’ choices and preferences are respected, they are encouraged to participate as a partner in the caretakers programme.
Lastly in line with the American Nurses Association standards, Oncology nurses are committed to those set rules. In line with Yarbro, Goodman and Frogge, (2005), the discharge plan has to include one major part of inpatient care where the care givers have to provide answers patients and their families about AML and give proper guidelines or instructions concerning the disease or treatment such as chemotherapy side effects and how to best cope with them, both in the hospital and once the patients return home. Scope of Service
In line with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in 2001, patients’ population includes patients receiving chemotherapy, those diagnosed with fever related to sepsis and neutropenia, pancytopenia, vomiting, or diarrhea. The peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSC) is a specialized treatment provided for some patients who need larger dosages of chemotherapy followed by the transplant of peripheral stem cells. A good discharge plan should include chemotherapy treatment protocols that adhere to patients with sickle cell disease. Oncology unit provides logical nurse to patient ratio of one to three or four patients.
The unit comprise of a population of multidisciplinary, including but not limited to the attending hematologist/oncologist, resident physicians, registered nurses, clinicians unit secretary, pharmacist, social worker, chaplain, nutritionist, discharge planner, physical/occupational/speech therapists, hospital teacher, and unit leaders. The interdisciplinary forum is involved in discussion of patient’s condition, changes in treatment plans, discharge planning, and family/patients teaching as the primary focus for patient care. (The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 2001)