According to a pilot project, the CASH (Care, Assistance, Stress, Hopes and Fears) Assessment Tool was beneficial for holistic intake assessment, promotion of personalized care, and strengthening the relationship between patients and nurse navigators.

These data were first presented by Donna Gallenstein, BSN, RN, GERO-BC, Moffitt Cancer Center, New York, New York, at the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Annual Congress on April 25, 2024.

According to Gallenstein and coauthors, RN Navigators’ “use of therapeutic communication at a crucial point in the continuum of care is invaluable to ensuring that patients feel supported, cared for, and seen as an individual.” Despite the importance of this contact, Gallenstein et al went on, “the RN Navigation program did not have defined metrics to support their efforts.”

This evidence-based pilot program sought to holistically assess patients’ psychosocial needs, improve pre-appointment anxiety, and enhance perception of compassionate care during a patient’s treatment journey through the inclusion of a therapeutic communication tool into the existing intake process.

RN Navigators completed a palliative care communication program, training them in the components of the CASH Assessment Tool. This assessment tool was then added as a supplement to the intake workflow, along with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAIS-5) which was administered pre- and post-intake call. These measures were used to evaluate and quantify the impact of initial contact with the RN Navigators, while verbal comments from patients at the conclusion of the call served as additional qualitative measure.

There were 75 intake assessments between April 2023 and June 2023 included in this project. With the use of the CASH Assessment Tool, mean scores on the STAIS-5 showed a decrease in 3 measures between the pre- and post-intake assessment: feeling upset (pre, 1.99 to post, 1.40), frightened (2.05 to 1.44), and nervous (2.23 to 1.52). In additional anecdotal feedback, patients expressed appreciation and gratitude.

Gallenstein et al concluded, “The findings further support the benefits of holistic communication in RN Navigator practice, and RN Navigators’ subsequent contributions to anxiety relief during telehealth assessments.

Source:

Gallenstein D, Mendez E, Lau J, et al. Using a therapeutic assessment tool to promote holistic communication in RN navigator practice. Presented at Oncology Nursing Society Annual Congress. April 24-28, 2024; Washington, DC.