Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing

Anyone who works in clinical oncology care sees it, experiences it, or feels it on a daily basis: a real or perceived shortage of nurses and, specifically, experienced clinical oncology nurses.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring for the presence of hazardous drug (HD) residue is recommended as part of a comprehensive HD safety program. However, a single wipe test provides limited information without the ability to evaluate interventions. OBJECTIVES: This quality improvement project was designed to evaluate the benefits of performing sequential HD wipe testing during a six-month period in an ambulatory cancer center. METHODS: Four areas in the pharmacy department and two areas in the infusion department were selected for testing, which was conducted at three time points...

The care of older adults differs from the care of younger patients, and specialized knowledge about aging and caring for older adults can help guide their care. Nurses can use geriatric assessment tools, many of which can be.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis (HSVE), which is caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2, is a rare neurologic disorder associated with focal or global cerebral dysfunction. HSVE is a syndrome of altered mental status, fever, and se.

Individuals diagnosed with hematologic cancers experience a variety of psychological and physiologic hardships. The purpose of this evidence-based practice pilot project was to determine whether patients who listened to music.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is insufficient on the effect of tunnel lengths on tunneled peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement in adult patients with cancer. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to explore whether there is an optimal PICC tunnel length to reduce the risk of PICC-related complications. The secondary objective was to compare patients' pain and comfort levels during catheter placement with different tunnel lengths. METHODS: Two hundred patients were randomly assigned to groups based on PICC tunnel length...

BACKGROUND: Measures to prevent exposure to anticancer drugs mitigate health hazards for caregivers, family members, and healthcare workers caring for patients with cancer. Previous studies have reported that anticancer drugs were detected on the linens of patients receiving chemotherapy. OBJECTIVES: This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of the washing methods recommended by Japanese guidelines for linens contaminated with cyclophosphamide (CTX). METHODS: This study used 15 shirts contaminated with 10 mg of CTX divided into three study groups washed with or without detergent, with or without an additional clean shirt...

BACKGROUND: Patients prescribed oral chemotherapy (OC) may find adherence and management of side effects difficult. Leveraging technology available to patients, such as smartphones, laptops, or at-home computer devices, may help close the loop on crucial information needed for the safe administration of these toxic medications. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this review was to explore the feasibility of standardization of an electronic OC adherence questionnaire to gather patient-reported outcomes...

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheter (CVC) maintenance is critical in administering chemotherapy, transfusions, and high-frequency laboratory draws. Although normal saline (NS) flushes have been associated with similar incidences of irreversible port occlusions as heparin among adult patients with cancer and ports, additional research is needed regarding NS efficacy in other central line maintenance within large populations with cancer. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze changes in reported CVC line patency via tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration rates in ports and other central lines because of an institutional switch from heparin to NS as preferred flushes in adult ambulatory patients with cancer...

BACKGROUND: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a significant complication for patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This disease is further complicated for patients who are refractory to steroids. This article reviews emerging therapies and supportive care for patients with steroid-refractory cGVHD. OBJECTIVES: This article provides foundational knowledge on steroid-refractory cGVHD, emerging treatment options, and related supportive care...

I was working in an outpatient infusion center at the time of this event. We had a strong team, including nurses and advanced practice providers who would respond when called upon, but did not have a code team. If a patient w.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women in sub-Saharan Africa. However, knowledge and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) remains low. This project examined if there is an association between BSE knowledge.

Since 1986, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has published its Essentials, a framework to guide all levels of nursing education and practice. This brief overview will describe the latest AACN Essentials.

We thank Esch and Schadewald (2023) for their excellent article, "Treatment-Induced Ovarian Insufficiency and Early Menopause in Breast Cancer Survivors," which described the many symptoms that can occur subsequent to tre.

The latest American Cancer Society (ACS, 2023) incidence rates for prostate cancer report an uptick of 3% for the years 2014-2019 after several years of decreased incidence rates; this is the first ACS-reported increase in.

BACKGROUND: When flushed, uncovered hospital toilets have been shown to generate aerosols potentially containing bacteria, viruses, and hazardous drugs, which can be inhaled by healthcare workers and contaminate surfaces. Guidelines recommend placing a plastic-backed absorbent pad (PBP) over the toilet, although no studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using a PBP versus the Splashblocker®, a solid, reusable engineering barrier control, to reduce post-flush aerosol particles...

BACKGROUND: Standards of care and guidelines acknowledge insufficient evidence that defines frequency of flushing for implanted vascular access devices (IVADs). Manufacturers recommend 4 weeks, but guidelines suggest that extending to 12 weeks is safe based on functionality. OBJECTIVES: The study reviewed current standards of care for IVAD flush maintenance frequency, examined the characteristics of blood from IVADs by aspirating and observing contents prior to flushing when maintenance care is delayed beyond four weeks, and identified whether more research is required to determine optimal IVAD maintenance flush frequency...

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) places a burden on patients receiving blood and marrow transplantation. The effects of complementary aromatherapy on CINV are documented, but more information is needed to implement practice changes. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate whether pure peppermint or ginger essential oil reduced the severity of CINV. METHODS: A controlled randomized pilot study was conducted using peppermint oil, ginger oil, and control (canola oil) groups...

Terms such as "chemobrain" or "chemofog" may be familiar to many patients with cancer. Specific chemotherapy agents are known to cause chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI). Interventions to prevent or redu.

This quality improvement project aimed to determine whether a nurse-initiated telephone care path could decrease emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and pain levels for patients with head and neck cancer receivi.