Journal of Nursing and Health Studies

Proactive approach: Developing and implementing guidelines for treating patients with oral anti-cancer agents (OACA) in the home-care setting:Experience of a comprehensive cancer center

27^th Edition of World Congress on Nursing Education & Research
April 23-25, 2018 Rome, Italy

Tal Granot, Hana Ferman, Sarit Ashkenazi, Yael Stern, Ruth Busani, Hiba R, Ramiz A S, Orly F, Silvia Daniel, Juliet D and Amira M

Davidoff Cancer Center, Israel

ScientificTracks Abstracts: J Nurs Health Stud

DOI: 10.21767/2574-2825-C1-002

Abstract

Introduction: The ongoing trend of using orally-administered instead of intravenously-administered anti-cancer agents might improve patients quality-of-life and sometimes reduces costs. However, as this trend facilitates transition of patients to the home-care setting, issues such as patient monitoring, and addressing adverse events (AEs), become more challenging. Thus, this trend requires remodeling patient care and the communication between the ambulatory care staff and the patients.
Objectives: To describe the development and implementation of guidelines related to the treatment of cancer patients with oral anti-cancer agents in a comprehensive cancer center.
Methods: Guideline development included several steps such as performing a literature review, identifying safety issues, evaluating the number of patients, developing patient capabilities assessment tool, and creating relevant documents (e.g. information and contacts orders for each treatment and checklists/follow up sheets for the staff).
Results: Guidelines were developed and implemented during 2013-2014. At present, the ambulatory care nurses proactively monitor the treatment of approximately 70 patients (per week), who are being treated at home. The monitoring is performed by phone/email/meetings, and includes confirming appropriate drug handling and administration (e.g., issues related to storage, dosage, and drug-food interactions), follow-up on blood tests, symptoms assessment, and hospitalization, if needed. Guidelines adoption by staff members improved patients monitoring and decreased the rates of AEs (e.g., renal failure) and hospitalizations (will be presented). Conclusions: Proactive approach by developing and implementing guidelines for managing patients treated with OACA was associated with improved patient care.

Biography

Tal Granot, RN, MA, has completed Master’s in Nursing, Master of Philosophy and serves as Nurse of the Breast Cancer Ambulatory Unit, Institute of Oncology at the Davidoff Cancer Center (affiliated to Tel Aviv University). She guides women before and after chemotherapy, manage oral chemotherapy clinic, coordinate during crisis issues, and promote learning and research among nurses in the oncology center. She has relevant clinical, educational and administrative experience as senior partner in the IONS for oral therapy nursing care. She is a senior partner in national committee regarding job development of experienced oncology nurses in the ambulatory setting and a senior partner in the development of clinical safety standard guidelines in Davidoff Cancer Center.

Email:talg@einat.org.i