Quality Cancer Care Clinical Resource Area - Tools for Promoting Oncology Nursing

Talking Points to Help You Address . . .

• Oncology nurses are uniquely skilled to provide patient and family education. They possess knowledge and skills that are reflected in the teaching they provide to patients and families facing cancer. They help patients and families to understand care plans and achieve the knowledge and skills needed to implement the plans.
• Oncology nurses help patients and family members to manage symptoms related to the disease and its treatment.
• Oncology nurses help patients and families to manage functioning so that patients return to normal status after treatment and recovery.
• Oncology nurses participate in interdisciplinary collaborations to provide appropriate referrals and resources necessary to meet patient needs.
• Oncology nurses advocate for patients and families by working with community organizations and agencies to obtain services for patients and families.
• Oncology nurses help to mobilize needed resources (community and personal) to meet the needs of patients and families.
• Oncology nurses identify areas for needed research and initiate and participate in research to improve the care of patients and families facing cancer.
• Oncology nurses participate in clinical research and initiate and participate in research to improve the care of patients and families facing cancer.
• Oncology nurses facilitate patient and family involvement in support groups and mobilize support for patients and families.
• Oncology nurses play a unique role in the management of pain. Focus is placed on the individual as a whole person and the patient's response to pain. Oncology nurses also look at how the pain affects the family members and support systems.
• Oncology nurses play a central role in quality-of-life issues for their patients and families, which is evidenced by their role in managing disease symptoms and treatment side effects.
• Oncology nurses help families, who have increased responsibility to provide care, to gain the knowledge and skills needed to provide care.

• Oncology nurses are uniquely skilled to educate patients and their families. They possess knowledge and skills that are reflected in the teaching they provide to patients and families facing cancer.
• Oncology nurses help patients and family members to manage symptoms related to the disease and its treatment.
• Oncology nurses participate in interdisciplinary collaborations to provide appropriate referrals and resources necessary to meet patient needs.
• Oncology nurses advocate for patients and families by working with community organizations and agencies to obtain services for them.
• Oncology nurses facilitate patient and family involvement in support groups and help them to mobilize resources to implement medical care plans.
• Oncology nurses collaborate with physicians in the management of pain. Focus is placed on the patient as a whole person and the patient's response to pain. In addition, oncology nurses look at how the pain affects family members and support systems.
• Oncology nurses contribute to patient recovery and rehabilitation so patients can return to their usual roles as quickly as possible.
• Oncology nurses play a central role in quality-of-life issues for their patients and families, which is evidenced by their role in managing disease symptoms and treatment of side effects.
• Oncology nurses have experience in articulating to insurers the healthcare coverage the patient requires. They ensure that healthcare resources are used appropriately--neither under-nor-over utilized.
• Oncology nurses maximize the use of the appropriate provider by coordinating the care of the patient, articulating to insurance companies the treatment required for the patient, triaging patients in the office and via phone calls, and communicating with family members.
• Oncology nurses work with patients and family members to facilitate compliance with the treatment plan.
• Oncology nurses collaborate with patients to provide appropriate, safe, competent, comprehensive cancer care.

• Oncology nurses use their knowledge of cancer nursing to intervene early in the management of symptoms related to the disease and the management of treatment side effects. These interventions decrease the length of stay as well as the likelihood of readmission.
• Oncology nurses are uniquely skilled to provide patient and family education, which prevents readmission for symptom management and complications.
• Oncology nurses collaborate with other healthcare providers to coordinate cancer care that is timely and appropriate, thus impacting outcomes such as the patient's length of stay. Oncology nurses in ambulatory settings collaborate in much the same way. Ambulatory oncology nurses' clinical judgment is crucial when performing telephone triage. Nurses identify problems and manage them appropriately, thus preventing unnecessary admissions.
• Oncology nurses are uniquely positioned to assist patients through the cancer care continuum and assure continuity of care. This affects patient satisfaction, which commonly is identified as an indicator of quality care.
• Oncology nurses help patients navigate the healthcare system to ensure the appropriate use of services.
• Oncology nurses collaborate with the insurer case manager to provide appropriate and adequate healthcare services.
• Oncology nurses develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
• Oncology nurses identify areas for needed research and initiate and participate in cancer research.
• Oncology nurses possess knowledge and skill in cancer pain management. They collaborate with physicians, patients, and families to manage pain, thus preventing readmissions for uncontrolled pain that are costly to the institution.

Talking Points for Addressing Payors

• Developing care plans with patients and families that include rehabilitation, thus preventing prolonged disability
• Using their unique skills the provide patient and family education, which helps to prevent readmission for symptom management and complications
• Collaborating with other healthcare providers to coordinate cancer care that is timely and appropriate, thus impacting the patient's length of stay. Oncology nurses in ambulatory settings collaborate in much the same way. Ambulatory oncology nurses' clinical judgment is crucial when performing telephone triage. Nurses identify problems and manage them appropriately, thus preventing unnecessary admissions.
• Interfacing with community agencies to provide appropriate services
• Helping patients to navigate the healthcare system to ensure the appropriate use of services
• Collaborating with the insurer case manager to provide appropriate and adequate healthcare services
• Possessing knowledge and skill in cancer pain management. They collaborate with physicians, patients, and families, to manage pain, which can prevent readmissions for uncontrolled pain