Nursing
Officer In-charge : Dr. Meera Achrekar
Overview
Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nursing in ACTREC is characterized by great diversity. This is reflected in the scope of nursing responsibilities and activities, in levels of personnel, in organization of services, and in educational preparation. Responsibilities of nurses vary greatly among the different settings in which they practice.
The Nursing department of ACTREC provides comprehensive and excellent nursing care for individuals of all ages diagnosed with cancer, assisting them to recover optimal health and experience good quality of life. Nurses with advanced clinical training provide consultation and patient care in clinical nursing specialties like central venous access device, stoma care etc. At the staff nurse level, where most direct patient care is handled, a large proportion of the nurses monitor patients on complex life support systems in intensive care and BMT units, while others will be at the bedside caring for patients with widely differing physical and emotional needs. Sister in charges, coordinate all activities that affect the care of patients in their respective clinical units.
Due attention is given to implementation of patient safety goals, continuing education, and research. Nurses work in collaboration with clinicians, therapists, the patient, the patient's family and other team members. Nurses help coordinate the patient care performed by other members of a multidisciplinary health care team such as therapists, medical practitioners and dietitians. Nurses provide care both interdependently, with clinicians, and independently as nursing professionals. Quality nursing care is provided to all cancer patients in a variety of clinical eg BMT, ICU, inpatient units and OPDs. Emphasis is placed on the all-round development of nursing staff. The Nursing Department is getting prepared for certification in Nursing Excellence.
Continuing nursing education focuses on orientation of new staff followed by induction program, staff development, and continuing education for all nursing staff. Nurses attended in-house CNEs and national/ international conferences. Under the continuing nursing education program, the department conducts various programs for in house and external delegates.
We are also a nodal centre for training nurses in BMT nursing and Chemotherapy administration. Institutes from Navi Mumbai visit ACTREC as part of their educational visit. Cancer Awareness program is another initiative conducted by the nursing department.
Educational program: We have initiated Fellowship in Blood and Bone Marrow transplant nursing from the year 2016. The objectives of this program is to acquire knowledge and develop skill in caring for patients undergoing Hematopoietic stem cell transplant including identification and management of complications. Academic term is for one year from August to July with an intake of two candidates.
Skill enhancement: Nurses are encouraged to enhance their knowledge and skills. They are deputed for Post graduate course MSc Nursing (Oncology) and for certification in Chemotherapy administration, Central Venous Access Device, and Enterostomal Therapy.
Nurses are encouraged to take up small research projects and the research findings are presented in national and international conferences.