Author: Director of Nursing, Li-Chu Sheu
Director Sheu currently serves as the Head of the Nursing Department, Director of Medical Quality and Patient Safety, and Chairperson of the Discharge Preparation Services Committee at KFSYSCC. Her areas of expertise include oncology nursing, nursing administrative management, and surgical and post-surgical care. She holds a master's degree from the Nursing Research Institute at National Taiwan University. Ms. Sheu once held a part-time lecturer position at Taipei Nursing Health University. Currently, she is a board member of the Taipei City Nurses Association, a review committee member for Taiwan's Cancer Treatment Quality Certification, an evaluation committee member for the National Biotechnology Medical Industry Promotion Council's SNQ Nursing Group, an administrative review committee member of the Taiwan Specialty Nursing Association, and an expert committee member of the Taiwan Medical Case Management Association. She began her service at this hospital in 1994 and has been the Director of the Nursing Department since 2008.
KFSYSCC Nursing: A Different Approach
Thirty years ago in Taiwan, cancer patients were scattered throughout various hospitals, treated by physicians from different specialties based on individual judgments. The concept of team-based cancer treatment was then considered distant and elusive. Fortuitously for Taiwan, Director Andrew T. Huang, deeply moved by the suffering of his compatriots diagnosed with cancer, abandoned his prestigious role as a cancer specialist in the U.S. to establish the KFSYSCC, committing himself to dedicated care for Taiwan's cancer patients.
As three decades swiftly passed, KFSYSCC, despite being a small entity, remains standing tall amidst the myriad challenges posed by the current medical environment and health insurance constraints. Guided by Director Huang’s unwavering beliefs, he has forged ahead, overcoming numerous obstacles, and in the process, rallying many supporters and followers. Our persistent dedication to doing what's right and our clear vision ensures that, regardless of how the medical environment evolves, we have never lost our way.
When the hospital was first established, there were no models for oncology nursing in Taiwan. All expertise in this field had to be sourced from Europe and America. Initially, a senior oncology nurse from Duke University Medical Center (who later rose to the position of director) was invited to Taiwan to personally train the first batch of oncology nurses. The nursing team further enhanced their skills by extensively extracting and translating relevant new knowledge. They painstakingly acquired oncology nursing expertise, progressively establishing various care guidelines and technical standards. Collaborating with the medical team, they developed clinical care guidelines for various cancers and evolved the roles and functions of oncology nursing.
Throughout our journey at KFSYSCC Nursing, we are immensely grateful for the leadership and pioneering efforts of all past directors and deputy directors, including Chen Meiling, You Lihui, Zhang Lilu, and Tang Xiuzhi. Their contributions have solidified KFSYSCC Nursing's outstanding organizational foundation and professional excellence. With such a firm foundation, I am able to carry forward our legacy, continuously promoting innovation and continuity in oncology nursing. Today, KFSYSCC’s oncology nursing standards serve as a benchmark for other institutions in the country, influencing the development of oncological care across various medical facilities. This success stems from our unique approach to nursing!
We are honored to have received the highest accolade, the "Golden Magnet Award," from the National Federation of the Republic of China Nursing Association, recognizing our commitment to create a nurturing nursing environment.
KFSYSCC Nursing upholds the hospital's motto: "Focus, Persistence, Innovation." We are dedicated to diversifying the roles in oncology nursing. Collaborating with the medical team, we integrate the diverse care needs of cancer patients, offering comprehensive care models. As a result, we have created numerous highlights:
Highlight One: From a patient's first consultation, our outpatient nurses provide a comprehensive initial nursing assessment. We've established a platform where medical staff collaboratively document patient information, ensuring the patient's initial contact with our hospital is seamless. Our Patient Advocacy Service (PAS) aims to expedite the diagnosis process, offering timely comfort to newly diagnosed patients and their anxious families.
Highlight Two: Nurses are stationed across various diagnostic units, ensuring continuity in patient care. Patients undergoing invasive diagnostics can rest assured knowing that our post-procedure observational care and follow-up at home are of the highest quality. This not only saves hospitali-zation costs for patients but also reduces expenditures for our national health insurance system.
Highlight Three: Once a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, a dedicated oncology case manager immediately steps in. From then on, patients at KFSYSCC have their very own cancer-fighting companion guiding them through the challenges of treatment and providing consistent support.
Highlight Four: As patients undergo surgery, their anxious families often wait, eyes glued to screens, for updates. These waiting family members are, unfortunately, often overlooked. However, our operating room nurses haven't forgotten them. Regular updates on the surgery's progress are given, offering instant reassurance, ensuring loved ones wait with peace of mind.
Highlight Five: During hospitalization, our expert ward oncology nurses, backed by specialized nurses, collaborate with attending physicians to provide an extensive care network. This includes devising patient care plans, addressing side effects of treatments, preemptively detecting potential complications, and offering thorough self-care instructions.
Our meticulous approach ensures hospitalized patients receive treatment and care with peace of mind. The professionalism, empathy, and warmth displayed by our nurses have not only shaped KFSYSCC Nursing's esteemed reputation in the industry but have also garnered high praise from both patients and the medical team.
Highlight Six: When patients come to the outpatient chemotherapy center for treatment, any discomfort or allergic reactions they experience are swiftly identified and managed by our skilled nurses. Even before patients can become worried about these side effects, our nurses have already consulted the doctors and taken appropriate actions. Over time, and after numerous chemotherapy sessions, patients trust and feel at ease with the care they receive, dispelling their initial fears. When patients need radiation therapy, the radiation therapy nurses prepare everything for them. As patients undergo the cumulative doses of treatment, they often face physical discomfort and emotional challenges, including despair and the urge to give up. Fortunately, our dedicated nurses constantly offer encouragement and reassurance, telling patients, "You can do this!" After completing their treatment, many patients often return to express gratitude to the nursing team, providing feedback that deeply energizes and motivates our staff.
Highlight Seven: Once patients complete their cancer treatment, they return to their daily lives and work, carrying with them the lingering fear of a cancer relapse. Our long-term tracking team understands these concerns. Our advanced practice nurses collaborate with doctors for meticulous follow-ups, ensuring no signs of relapse are missed. Beyond tracking cancer progression, these nurses also identify other potential or existing chronic conditions in patients and make necessary referrals, ensuring that patients can return to a quality life. The sight of relieved patients, wearing smiles as they head home, is our greatest reward.
Highlight Eight: While many cancer patients eventually find their way back to health, some unfortunately reach life's end. Our palliative care nurses provide tender care, aiming to alleviate physical and emotional discomfort. They accompany patients as they reflect on their lives, ensuring they don’t feel alone during their final moments. We offer comprehensive care for the patient and their family, ensuring they're never alone.
Our Unique Nursing Approach: Whenever a cancer patient has a need, we develop diverse and specialized nursing care strategies. In 1991, we pioneered a 24-hour service for cancer patients, ensuring they receive consistent care even at home. In 1998, after noticing the harm repeated chemotherapy injections could cause to a patient's veins, we became the first in Taiwan to introduce peripheral central venous line insertion and care. Our vascular assessment is sought after even before chemotherapy begins, and with support from radiology doctors, our results in line placement and overall care have been outstanding. We have not only set industry standards but have also trained numerous medical professionals from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Mainland China.
To reduce the back-and-forth hospital visits for breast cancer patients undergoing mammography or ultrasound scans, we introduced a unique service in 1998, where our nurses compile and mail all test reports to patients after doctor's approval. This service has been highly appreciated by both doctors and patients.
In 2000, we introduced care services for families of patients undergoing surgery, aiming to reduce their anxiety. That same year, we began a comprehensive pre-admission clinic led by specialized nurses to ensure patients are suitable for chemotherapy before being admitted. By 2001, we started offering dedicated care for breast cancer patients, which has paved the way for the development of specialized case management across Taiwan.
One day, the director mentioned his concern about the time it took for patients to start treatment after a cancer diagnosis. In response, we launched our PAS service in 2006, which significantly reduced the time from diagnosis to treatment initiation.
To serve our long-term breast cancer follow-up patients, in 2009, we introduced advanced practice nursing care based on specific guidelines. This initiative relieved the workload of specialists, enabling more newly-diagnosed patients to receive care.
The journey against cancer for patients is taken step by step; there are no shortcuts and no room for stepping back. As a result, nurses can be seen bustling around every corner of Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, caring for patients wherever they may be in their journey. We meticulously piece together every aspect of patient care to ensure continuity and avoid any gaps. Because of this, our patients, regardless of the type of cancer they have, achieve a high completion rate for their treatments. Under the steadfast leadership of Director Huang, the dedication of our medical staff, and the collective efforts of all departments, we've achieved exceptional cancer treatment results that we are immensely proud of. Our hospital boasts a five-year survival rate for all cancers at 72%, far exceeding the average by about 20 percentage points compared to other hospitals in Taiwan. We stand shoulder to shoulder with leading countries in Europe and America. This is a proud accomplishment for everyone at KFSYSCC. What fills me with even more pride is leading a dedicated nursing team committed to the fight against cancer, upholding our promise to safeguard our patients with all our heart. Looking back at our journey, all of us in KFSYSCC’s nursing team feel only gratitude and pride. Director Huang often says, "Nurses neither seek fame nor profit; they give to patients without regrets or complaints. I deeply admire them." Every time I hear these words, I am deeply moved. I would like to tell Director Huang, "Having a director who appreciates and understands the noble spirit of nursing is our greatest honor and blessing. Thank you." Today, KFSYSCC turns 30! On behalf of all the nursing staff, I wish KFSYSCC a very Happy Birthday!
