The nazareth community oncology unit the oncology nurse’s role to provide care in the environment of covid-19

Abstract

The Community Oncology Unit (COU) in Nazareth, Israel, provides complete medical treatments to patients who live in the rural area of the country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, oncology nurses face additional challenges in facilitating cancer care. Pertinent adjustments are being made at the COU to maintain patients’ safety and enable continuous oncology therapy by coordinating patients’ COVID-19 testing and vaccination program. AT A GLANCE ɔ The oncology nurse role at the Nazareth COU has been intensified during COVID-19 surges because of additional physical precautionary measures. ɔ Providing nursing care during the COVID-19 pandemic has stressed the role of mitigating risks of patients with cancer and expanded it to include being a case manager, coordinating additional referrals and healthcare professional home visits. ɔ The unique role of the oncology nurse at the COU has been exemplified in combating COVID-19 spread by taking care of scheduling vaccine adminis-trations in addition to frequent telemedicine outreach surveying for side effects.