Dados do Resumo

Título

The interection flow between nurse navigators and the ambulatory nursing team in a reference center for cutaneous tumors.

Introdução

The journey of an oncologic patient is complex and encompasses various stages. Along the pathway, the nursing team plays a crucial role in all phases of care. The Nurse Navigator (NN) serves as the coordinator of the treatment process, actively working to reduce barriers for the patient. Meanwhile, bedside nurses provide direct care to the patient, ensuring that both basic and complex needs are met safely and effectively.

Objetivo

To describe the interaction flow between the ambulatory nursing team and the NNs in a reference center (RC). For cutaneous tumors.

Métodos

A descriptive study based on experience reports conducted at a Cancer Center in São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Resultados

In the RC of skin tumors, the NN is responsible for coordinating the treatment journey of patients diagnosed with invasive melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and sarcomas. One of the ways to access the navigation program is through indication of the post operatory outpatient nurse. Patients undergoing skin biopsy are admitted upon postoperative return, first by the outpatient nursing team that evaluates and manages the surgical wound. Soon after, the on-call physician informs the result of the anatomopathological test and, in eligible cases, patients are referred to the NN in order to ensure orientations and start the coordination of the treatment journey. From May 2023 to May 2024, 50 patients were identified and referred to the NN following this protocol. Accomplishing this protocol, we speed up treatment’s journey, with the median of 1 day between referral to the NN and the appointment with the oncologist surgeon.

Conclusões

It is clear that the interaction between the NN and the assistance nurse is a key point in the patient's journey in the RC of skin tumors, since the NN guides the patient through the entire complex treatment journey while the assistance nurse provides direct care and continuous support. This interaction, combined with compliance with institutional protocol, guarantees an integrated, efficient and humanized experience, in addition to ensuring a quick definition of treatment conduct.

Palavras Chave

Skin Neoplasms; Patient navigation; Oncology Nursing