Being a nurse in medical oncology during the covid19 epidemic

Background: The U O of Oncology DH / DSA of the Piacenza Hospital provides life-saving and indifferent services that could not be postponed or suspended even during the maximum spread of Coronavirus infection in the city of Piacenza In order to ensure continuity of care and containment of the transmission of infected cases between patients, visitors and health professionals, the organization of the service was planned and changed Materials and methods: All patients were invited to wash their hands with hydroalcoholic gel, to wear the surgical mask and their temperature was detected All patients were accepted after triage performed by a nurse who, through the use of a questionnaire, ascertained the health conditions, the geographical origin and epidemiological criteria at risk Patients who tested positive for screening were isolated and managed in a specific area identified within the service and assisted by dedicated staff Access was allowed only to the person who was to receive the service;the presence of Caregiver was allowed for people who are not independent, if linguisticcultural mediation was required or in specific cases agreed with the staff and the oncologist The patient paths inside the structure ware redesigned in order to guarantee the safety distance required by current legislation and the ventilation of the locations Patient appointments were spaced apart to avoid gatherings in common areas The patients were instructed to contact their oncologist on the day before the appointment if they had symptoms such as dyspnea temperature, gastrointestinal symptoms, dysgeusia The use of telephone conversation as a tool for active patient surveillance was implemented All the processes for sanitizing environments, disinfecting surfaces, equipment and care devices ware revised Specific procedures ware written for the wearing of operators and the use of DPI based on the risk of exposure to Covid19 Results: In the period from 21/02/2020 to 30/04/2020 there were 2935 DSA accesses with an average value of 60 daily accesses in five daily opening days of the service During this period, 2 patients, during the first cancer visit were found positive post-nasopharyngeal swab, while no new infections were found in the patients already in charge Conclusions: The reorganization of the service has made it possible to provide safe and secure care to cancer patients