Care of a patient with acute leukemia based on a Dutch specialized model of oncology nursing

Within the University Hospital Vrije Universiteit autologous and allogenic SCT are practiced. The hematology ward has 18 beds 3 of which are isolation rooms with laminar airflow and six day-care beds. In a year about 20 allogeneic and some 50 autologous SCT take place. In this paper a presentation of the various responsibilities of the hemato-oncology nurse with the help of a case study of a patient with AML is done. The structure of this article is based on The Dutch professional profile of an oncology nurse. The responsibilities of the nurse with regard to the treatment and care of the patient consist of the following activities: - information and prevention, - planning and executing the care, diagnostic and therapeutic role, coordination and organization of the care, evaluation and recording, supporting role. Two specialized types of nurses are involved in the care; those are the transplant co-coordinator and the apheresis nurse.