Acute oncology: a developing sub-specialty.
Patients with cancer frequently present to hospital as an emergency admission acutely unwell. Patients can suffer from complications of the cancer itself, or significant adverse effects/toxicities related to their cancer therapy. Alternatively, the initial presentation of the malignancy may be through a hospital admission, and the cancer can frequently be widespread and with a poorer prognosis. Patients are often admitted under general physicians, away from their comprehensive cancer care centre or oncologists. Without specialist input or staff adhering to most appropriate pathways, the management of these complicated conditions may be difficult, with patients sometimes having unnecessary and painful investigations and prolonged hospital stays. To address these issues the concept of an acute oncology service has recently evolved. This is a developing sub-specialty that aims to improve the care of cancer patients presenting acutely to hospital at a devastating time in their lives. This article will explore the literature to describe the recent development of the acute oncology model, and consider different methods for the delivery of this service.
Clinical Nurse Manager for Haematology, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, Gwent.
Alison
A
Pugh
Acute Oncology Nurse, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, Gwent.
Helen
H
Rogerson
Acute Oncology Nurse, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, Gwent.
Helen
H
Cosh
Macmillan Lead Cancer Nurse; Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, Gwent.
Jane
J
Hart
Consultant Medical Oncologist, Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, Gwent.
Hilary
H
Williams
Consultant Haematologist and Acute Oncologist, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, Gwent.
Christopher
C
Jenkins
D000208:Acute Disease; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000639:trends*; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000639:trends*; D016730:Program Development; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000639:trends*; D006113:United Kingdom
Emergency medicine; Referral and consultation; Sepsis; Spinal cord compression