Oncology nurse navigator: the new look at breast cancer patients

Introduction: Patient navigation is carried out in a humanised way, starting with the nursing consultation, addressing the side effects of the treatment to be carried out and its management, scheduling guidance on starting treatment, communication with the entire multi-professional team, such as the nutritionist and, if necessary, the psychology service. The nurse navigator aims to ensure continuity of treatment inside or outside the oncology unit (as long as the patient is in our institution), validates all medical prescriptions (triple-check stage) and monitors the administration of antineoplastic therapy when administered outside the oncology unit (intensive care unit, inpatient unit, surgical centre). The Nurse Navigator also registers, monitors results, advises and refers patients for genetic testing on platforms sponsored by pharmaceutical companies.

Objectives: To establish a navigation protocol for breast cancer patients at Santa Catarina Hospital.

Methodology: This is a bibliographic survey, from June to October 22, using the following databases: BIREME, LILACS, PubMed, comprising 12 studies followed by descriptive observational research. This made it possible to create a protocol to better target the public. Inclusion criteria: primary diagnosis of breast cancer. non- metastatic, female, aged between 20 and 60. The following were excluded: starting treatment at another service, palliative, loss of source of payment, tumour recurrence.

Results: To assess whether the stipulated goals were achieved after the initial interventions.

Conclusion: In the care of oncological patients, the role of the nurse navigator is very relevant, both for the patient and for the multi-professional team, the navigator acts as a facilitator in the process as a whole. Knowing that the nurse’s work process is focussed on care and on assisting the patient in all their dimensions (physical, emotional, psychosocial and family). It is clear from this study that the implementation of Navigation Programmes guided by a well-defined protocol for the profile of the patient to be navigated, with the nurse as an actor in the coordination of care and continuous care, provides patients, services and the health system with a differential in terms of quality of care.

Corresponding author: Eunice Cristina de Souza (e-mail: euniceccsouza@gmail.com).