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Nursing is grouped into the following sub-categories:
The Chemotherapy Nurse assists in administering chemotherapy treatment as prescribed by the Medical Oncologist. They also provide treatment education, disease information and support during the treatment phase. Incontinence is the accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or bowel motion, faeces or wind from the bowel (faecal or bowel incontinence). A Continence Nurse is a registered nurse with extensive training in continence care. They are able to assess your condition and advise on its management and, in some cases, treatment. Throughout your treatment and recovery time there may be occasions when you need Home Nursing. You may be discharged from hospital early post-surgery, but still require the services of a nurse. This may be for wound care, or for long term treatment needs and support. Usually such Home Nursing would be arranged through a referral by one of the hospital treatment team. There are also private nursing companies that can provide Home Nursing. These services would usually attract a fee. Hospital in the Home (HITH) is the provision of hospital care in the comfort of a person's own home. Many major hospitals in regional Victoria are participants in the scheme. Patients are regarded as hospital inpatients even though they are located in their own home. They remain under the care of their hospital treating doctor and receive the same treatment that they would have received had they been in a hospital bed. There are no additional charges for HITH services. Palliative Care is specialised care and support provided for someone living with a terminal illness. Importantly, Palliative Care also involves care and support for family and caregivers. The goal of Palliative Care is to improve quality of life for patients, their families and caregivers by providing care that addresses their many needs: physical (including treatment of pain and other symptoms), emotional, social, cultural and spiritual. Palliative Care aims to help the patient live as well as possible. It offers support to help family and caregivers manage during the patient’s illness and in bereavement. As a person receiving Palliative Care, the patient is an important partner in planning their care and managing their illness. When people are well informed, participate in treatment decisions and communicate openly with their doctors and other health professionals, they help make their care as effective as possible. Care planning is an important process in ensuring the patient’s wishes, in relation to their care, are met. Patients should speak to their doctor about advance care planning and advance care directives. The Radiotherapy Nurse is a very important part of the cancer journey as approximately 60% of cancer patients receive radiation therapy at some point. Radiotherapy Nurses assist with care planning, patient education and self care strategies following radiotherapy treatment. In some areas there are Specialist Cancer Nurses available to support particular tumour streams eg Breast or Colorectal. The Specialist Cancer Nurse supports both the patient and their family in making informed treatment decisions relating to their needs and family circumstances. The Specialist Cancer Nurse may also:
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 September 2008 04:26 ) |
