Patient Care Coordination of Adult Oncology Patients in Home Health

Abstract

This article illustrates several key components regarding caring for adult oncology patients at home, such as focusing on the oncology nurse as the patient care coordinator (PCC) instead of utilizing today's terminology as the case manager. Oncology nurses are of a rare breed. They must have extensive skill, knowledge, compassion, and insight to manage patients with devastating diseases, which sets them apart from other nurses. As managed care changes the timing of discharge from the acute care setting into the home, oncology nurses are assuming more responsibilities relating to appropriate home care and teaching. The following case studies represent examples of oncology care provided by the PCC (the primary nurse). Oncology nurses assist patients and families with various issues such as: listening to underlying concerns, providing physical care, managing pain with patient control analgesia (PCA) when appropriate, and offering comfort care! support during a patient's death and dying process.