Quality of Nursing Services for Cancer Patients at Outpatient Department in a Specialized Hospital During COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: High-quality and continuous nursing care is fundamental to effective cancer management, particularly in outpatient departments (OPDs) where patients receive chemotherapy, follow-up, and supportive services. The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to oncology nursing by increasing workload, infection risk, and psychological stress among nurses, while simultaneously heightening the vulnerability of cancer patients. Evaluating the quality of nursing services during this period is essential to identify service gaps and strengthen preparedness for future public health emergencies. Objective: To assess the quality of nursing services, work responsibilities, challenges faced by nurses, and availability of facilities in the oncology outpatient department of a tertiary cancer hospital in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Research and Cancer Hospital (NIRCH), Dhaka, from January to December 2021. Data were collected between 22 December 2021 and 16 January 2022 using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. A convenient sampling technique was employed, and 51 enrolled nurses working in OPD, daycare, and chemotherapy units were included. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25, applying descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Results: Most nurses were aged 27–32 years (54.9%), female (96.1%), unmarried (82.4%), and diploma holders (68.6%). The majority (92%) had less than five years of oncology experience, and only 29.4% had received specialized oncology training. Although core nursing responsibilities were largely maintained, deficiencies were identified in documentation practices and selected facility resources. The mean daily OPD patient load was 89.9, managed by an average of 17.98 nurses. Conclusion: Essential oncology nursing services were sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, gaps in specialized training, documentation, and logistical support remain. Targeted capacity building and resource strengthening are necessary to enhance the quality and resilience of oncology nursing care.