Objective To explore the application effect of the nurse navigation in the continuous whole-process management of patients with gastric cancer.

Methods Under the guidance of patients' needs, the roles, functions and job responsibilities of nurse navigators for patients with gastric cancer were defined, and a continuous whole-process management model was established. The application effect of the management model was evaluated from the aspects of patient satisfaction, recognition of medical staff, perioperative complications and so on.

Results An "outpatient-inpatient-discharge" management model mediated by a nurse navigator for gastric cancer was successfully established. In this mode, patients' satisfaction with medical guidance was significantly improved (satisfaction rate > 97%), patients' treatment compliance was also significantly improved. Nurse navigator had a high degree of recognition from medical staff (> 97%). The incidence of postoperative respiratory complications of Clavien-Dindo 2 level was lower in the intervention group than that in the control group (4.2% vs 15.5%, P＝0.019).

Conclusions The establishment of nurse navigation and beginning of relevant work could significantly improve patients' satisfaction and compliance and promote the progress of whole-process management of gastric cancer, and is worth of promoting application and strengthening innovation.