[Nursing care in women with breast disease: organization of a specific nurses' clinic].
Breast surgery can be highly stressful for women due to the high symbolic value that it represents in bio-psycho-social terms. Before setting up a nurses' breast disease clinic, nurses felt that women were being discharged after surgery with excessive worries and doubts. The aim of this study was to describe the organization, structure, functions, and activities of the nurses' breast disease clinic in Hospital Palmós (Gerona, Spain) between 2002-2005, as well as to promote this kind of clinic. The clinic provides postsurgical care, health education, and psychological support, thus contributing to the integral care of women with this important health problem. The clinic is a resource for the follow-up of patients with breast disease. Moreover, it facilitates outpatient surgical treatment and early discharge and reduces mean length of hospital stay.
Romagosa-Albacar
Cristina
C
Unitat de Infermeria, Servei de Ginecologia i Obstetrícia, Hospital de Palamós, Palamós, Girona, España. cromagosa@hosppal.es
Garatea-Zubieta
Ana
A
Inoriza
José María
JM
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000451:nursing*