Breast biopsy support program: collaboration between the oncology clinical nurse specialist and the ambulatory surgery nurse.

Nurses play a vital role in the care of women admitted to an ambulatory unit for a breast biopsy. This paper offers one aspect of a psychosocial model that the oncology clinical nurse specialist and the ambulatory surgery nurse can use collaboratively to meet each woman's needs during this critical period. Goal-directed communications are the focus of this paper. Five specific techniques are described and can be used before biopsy reports are known, after women are informed that results are either negative or pending, and after reports are confirmed as positive. Psychosocial support is recognized as an important aspect of nursing care provided to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Although only 10% of women undergoing breast biopsies are diagnosed with malignant lesions, nurses must provide optimal support and guidance to every woman admitted for this surgical procedure.