Approach to the care process by nurse case managers in a breast unit

Abstract

Objective: Breast units led by nurse case managers are being implemented to provide comprehensive care in the detection and treatment of breast cancer. However, their implementation is heterogeneous and the results of the care process with this professional have not been studied. The aim of the study is to describe the management in time and the approach of the process by a nurse case manager in the breast unit of women with suspected breast cancer pathology, derived from the breast cancer screening program.

Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study carried out in 2021. Women treated in a breast unit managed by a nurse case manager in a hospital in southern Spain were included. Sociodemographic, clinical and care process characteristics were analysed RESULTS: A total of 118 women of Spanish nationality (92%) participated, with a mean age of 59 years. The diagnosis of malignancy was made in 74.6% of them. Seventy-nine percent of the women had their first visit within 3 days. The mean time to diagnosis was 3.98 days (SD: ±3.93), 4.2 weeks (SD: ±1.84) to initiate treatment and a total in-hospital time of 33 days (SD: ±13.45).

Conclusions: The management of nurse case managers in breast units contributes to improving or speeding up times, in accordance with international guidelines, helping this approach in the continuity of the care process for women referred after screening for breast cancer detection.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Care process; Case management; Cáncer de mama; Enfermeras; Gestión de casos; Gestión del tiempo; Nursing; Proceso asistencial; Time management.