Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (Switzerland)
Person responsible for CTC programme: Giovanni Presta
Hospital overview
The Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI) is based on the model of integrated cancer centres and includes all oncologic activities which are carried out within the public hospitals of Southern Switzerland. IOSI encompasses 6 divisions: medical oncology, radio-oncology, nuclear medicine (incl. PET-CT unit), haematology, palliative care and research. The IOSI was set up in accordance with the North American model of "Comprehensive Cancer Centre", even if its structure is particular as it is a transversal organisation within the multisite hospital EOC. The IOSI, therefore, has the ambition to represent the model of a clearly organised hospital complex, integrating all the specialties which deal with diagnosis, treatment and research of cancer diseases.
The IOSI guarantees its patients a holistic approach and the possibility of getting the benefit of the most recent cancer research. For its high quality medical care IOSI is recognised both nationally and internationally.
IOSI Nursing Service
This is the part of our organisation, headed by a nurse, which is responsible for organising and managing the nursing care provided to patients in our care facilities (wards and outpatient clinics). It encompasses various professional roles and functions, both clinical (Experts and Clinical Specialists) and organisational (Management and Local Coordinators).
Nurses
Nurses are health professionals who, through specific training, are able to assume responsibility for "nursing care" for all those who need it. They are available 24 hours a day, as long as services are open, working in shifts. At IOSI, most of these professionals have also acquired a specialisation in the field of oncology, in order to be able to accompany cancer patients with even greater competence and effectiveness, throughout their illness.
Philosophy of care
The Nursing Service uses an internal model focused on professional and relational competence, founded on the quality of the relationship between the patient and the nurse. Each patient treated at the Institute has been assigned a "reference nurse" who accompanies and involves him or her throughout the course of their treatment and care. Through this critical relationship, the nurse places the individual and the people who are important to him or her at the centre of care, sharing with the patient the objectives of the care plan and providing, in addition to the various technical services, the information and relational support that the patient and family may need.
Services
They differ with different degrees disease of complexity, and the unique patient situation.
- Definition of an individualised nursing care plan: after the initial assessment, according to the patient's care needs and the treatment plan defined by their doctor, an individualised nursing care plan is drawn up and shared with the patient;
- Basic nursing care: this involves supporting the patient in all activities of daily living which he/she is no longer able to perform on his/her own;
- Specific nursing care: to carry out technical, educational and relational interventions according to the diagnostic, therapeutic and care plan; to prevent or manage possible complications from the disease and/or treatment; to implement the necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient;
- Collaboration with other health, social and psychological professionals to ensure continuity of care inside and outside the hospital.
CTC programmes offered
- Inpatient or Outpatient clinic
Programme mentor: Giovanni Presta
Duration: 1 month
Observership or Residency: Observership
Language requirements: Italian
Within IOSI, the specialties where nurses work are: oncology, hematology, palliative care and radiation oncology. Therefore, it is possible to make a specific program based on the professional's interests in all the above-described specialty areas. It is also possible to see the activities of different nurses related to the clinical and management fields. - The Nursing Research and Development Office
Programme mentor: Angela Tolotti
Duration: 1 month
Observership or Residency: Observership
Language requirements: Italian
In the belief that "care and assistance are best provided where there is up to date knowledge and research", the Nursing Development and Research Office operates within the Nursing Service, whose main functions are:
• to promote the evolution of professional knowledge through the conception and conduct of research in nursing care;
• to contribute to the training of colleagues with regard to research methodology and, more generally, to the development of the profession;
• to elaborate and/or contribute to the elaboration of professional protocols in an interdisciplinary manner;
• helping professional teams to transfer research findings into clinical practice.
NOTE: Due to the small number of paediatric cases managed by the Institute of Southern Switzerland, this position is not ideal for oncology nurses working with paediatric patients.