The patient's experience of a nurse-led nipple tattoo service: a successful program in Warwickshire.
OBJECTIVE
Although once the preserve of tattoo artists, units within the UK have increasingly begun making use of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to perform areola tattooing. Bringing the technique within the Breast Unit enhances continuity of care and makes use of skills that can be provided by the CNS. Our CNS is involved with both the patients' oncological management and the areola tattoo service.


METHODS
The CNS-led service was investigated and patients' experiences of nipple tattooing were assessed. We present the results of a postal questionnaire and a prospective clinical audit of the procedure.


RESULTS
Forty tattoos were done over a 2-year period with one self-limiting complication. Patient satisfaction was high both with the outcome and the experience of the procedure. Fading of the tattoo is a consistent finding frequently requiring further shading.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall the patient's experience of a nurse lead 'in-house' tattoo service has been highly satisfactory and this is reflected by their high confidence rating and ease of access to the nurse. We believe that the role of the CNS in oncological treatment and reconstructions helps integrate the multidisciplinary experience for the patient.
Clarkson
James H W
JH
George Eliot Hospital, College Street, Nuneaton, North Warwickshire CV10 7DJ, UK. jhwclarkson@hotmail.com
Tracey
Annette
A
Eltigani
Eltigani
E
Park
Alan
A
D003116:Color; D004739:England; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D008485:Medical Audit; D009558:Nipples / Q000601:surgery*; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013653:Tattooing / Q000451:nursing*; D016896:Treatment Outcome