Closer to our patients with cancer

sonia guerrero Nurse Bupa Santiago Hospital

Some cancer patients are with us for one or two years. There are all ages, from a young person of 17 years old to more elderly people. Other people at risk that we treat are the immunosuppressed with HIV who also have cancer. All of them need special care because of the risk of Covid. Our patients have had to quarantine since the start of their illness and they know about not getting visitors. In some cases, one family member has been allowed to visit, with a lot of restrictions (masks, robes, distancing) but in other cases that hasn’t been possible because of the high risk, due to their low levels of immunity. They are very responsible people who take great care with all the safety measures and look after themselves and their families.

SANTIAGO — CHILE

The people we look after have highs and lows and can deteriorate very quickly. Cancer patients often get a fever and have to be treated with antibiotics. On the other hand, the patients are constantly hearing messages on the TV, in the media and elsewhere that remind them how vulnerable they are. To support them in this, we have worked together with psycho-oncology and psychiatry.

In our department, the nurses get very close to the patients because we don’t have lots of patients and they tend to stay a long time. This means we can work well with them and give them really comprehensive care.

Thankfully, none of our patients have been infected and I think that is because we have been careful and have worked together as an oncology team and with patients and families. �