1428 Nurse's outpatient telephone appointments at a regional hospital's day-care ward for patients undergoing cytotoxic therapy

Cytotoxic therapy is given mainly on the day-care ward. The patients receive extensive instruction before treatment. Usually they visit the day-care ward only for intravenous cytotoxk therapy. The nursing staff attaches much value to contact with patients in between treatments for advice and support. Deterioration of their general condition should be recognized early. Hofpoort is a regional hospital. Visits on the day-care ward imply a lot oftime, energy and stress. As part of a quality assurance program routine telephone contacts in between treatments were initiated if the interval exceeded one week. The patients are informed about the aim of the contacts and if they agree, the contact is scheduled. During the conversation the situation of the previous week is assessed and adequate advice can be given. If necessary the patient is referred to his/her physician, a dietician or a social worker. A well kept patient report is maintained. This setup has proven to be feasible and effective. Patients are able to get answers to important questions and many problems can be prevented. The level of care for patients on the daycare ward is improved and relations between nurses and patients are optimized.