This quality improvement project implemented a nurse-led high-risk screening referral protocol for earlier identification of women at increased risk for breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool was used at the ma.
This quality improvement project implemented a nurse-led high-risk screening referral protocol for earlier identification of women at increased risk for breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool was used at the ma.
Background: Surface contamination with antineoplastic drugs (ADs) is persistent. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended to reduce exposure to ADs.
Objectives: This study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses' PPE use and surface contamination with ADs.
Methods: Demographic characteristics, PPE use, and associated factors were assessed on two inpatient oncology units where etoposide and cyclophosphamide were administered before (N = 26) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 31).
Findings: PPE use when handling contaminated excreta was significantly higher during the pandemic. Perceived risk of chemotherapy exposure was significantly associated with greater PPE use when handling AD-contaminated excreta, and conflict of interest was related to less PPE use during AD administration and handling of AD-contaminated excreta. During the pandemic, surface contamination with etoposide increased in shared areas and decreased in patient rooms.
Building modern healthcare programs and systems caring for populations requires expert skills in strategy, finance, people operations, workflow, evaluation, and more. Build often connotes adding services and people, but it al.
Background: Transitioning into oncology practice can be challenging for new graduate RNs. High patient acuity, a steep learning curve, psychosocial challenges, and frequent patient deaths can be overwhelming.
Objectives: The purpose of this program was to provide resilience training for new graduate oncology nurses as part of an existing nurse residency program. Building resilience among oncology nurses was a primary goal during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be an important goal.
Methods: Resilience training in this program consisted of didactic lectures, personalized goal setting, one-on-one mentoring, and a follow-up support group. Various measurement scales were used at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months to assess resilience, professional quality of life, and new graduate experience measures, including communication and organizational skills.
Findings: Resilience significantly declined from baseline to six months; professional quality of life and new graduate experience measures also worsened. Some improvements in organizational skills and communication emerged at 12 months. Results indicate an ongoing need to consider extending nurse residency programs, resilience training, and support beyond the traditional one-year period.
Background: Patients with cancer are at high risk for infection-related morbidity and mortality; vaccinations reduce this burden. In 2021, vaccination documentation rates were low at an academic medical center breast clinic.
Objectives: The purpose of this pilot quality improvement project was to evaluate an education intervention to increase vaccination documentation among patients with breast cancer.
Methods: During a 16-week period, the 4 Pillars™ Practice Transformation Program was implemented. The oncology nurse navigator assessed and documented vaccination history, discussed recommendations with the provider, and recommended concurrent vaccinations. Within a two-week period, the oncology nurse navigator completed and documented vaccination follow-up via telephone.
Findings: Vaccination follow-up and documentation for influenza, shingles, and pneumococcal vaccines increased substantially. Findings indicate that an education and outreach program can increase vaccination documentation rates among patients with breast cancer.
This scholarly project implemented the 3 Wishes Project (3WP), which aims to fulfill the final wishes of dying critically ill patients, in a 16-bed tertiary intensive care unit (ICU). The project assessed outcomes through sur.
Despite comprising almost 8% of the population of the United States, sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients with cancer experience health inequities with poorer outcomes than non-SGM patients. Although sex-based guidelines.
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is standard, first-line therapy for many aspects of prostate cancer treatment. Although ADT can be an effective treatment to inhibit androgen-fueled cell growth in prostate cancer, suppressi.
Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Past President Judi L. Johnson, PhD, RN, FAAN, dedicated her career to guiding cancer education, patient- centered care, and oncology nursing excellence. On Saturday, April 20, 2024, Johnson pas.
Background: Providing effective health education is essential for patients with cancer-related pain. One solution is leveraging instant messaging tools for teach-back health education.
Objectives: This study investigated the effects of WeChat-based teach-back health education on patients with advanced cancer who underwent patient-controlled intrathecal analgesia implantation and used hydromorphone.
Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 150 hospitalized patients with advanced cancer pain. Patients were classified into a conventional health education group (N = 50) and a teach-back group (N = 100) based on whether they received WeChat-based teach-back health education. Pain was rated using a numeric rating scale, and sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at one, two, and three months postdischarge.
Findings: Patients who received remote teach-back health education better managed their pain. Data also demonstrated improvements in patients' sleep quality and caregiver satisfaction, and reductions in the occurrence of adverse reactions.