Hyaluronidase for localised infusion site reaction during continuous subcutaneous infusion.

Local skin site reactions may occur at continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) sites. Factors that contribute these reactions include the concentration of medications, the pH of the solution, type and duration of cannula insertion and site selection. The case of a patient with advanced metastatic cholangiocarcinoma is described.

Pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant patients with healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection were already colonized on admission.

Unlabelled: Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide. The diagnosis of C. difficile infection (CDI) in pediatric oncology patients is complex as diarrhea is common, and there is a high rate of colonization in infants and young children.

Caregivers experiences of managing medications for palliative care patients at the end of life: a qualitative study.

Informal caregivers are important in enabling palliative care patients to die at home, including their role in managing medications. Often these patients are taking multiple medications, imposing an unnecessary burden on those who are already struggling with oral intake. A literature review revealed that, while there are a number of qualitative studies published examining the experience of caregivers looking after patients at the end of life, there is a dearth of published studies specifically examining the impact of managing medications on caregivers.

Hair tourniquet management.

Unwind or incise has been the standard of management for removing hair tourniquets. The hair ends are usually difficult to hold and unwind as they break at the ends easily, and using scalpels or needles to get under the hair tourniquet is difficult when the involved appendage is swollen and leads to more trauma to the injured area. This is the first case report that describes the removal of hair tourniquet using a depilatory cream.

Review of cancer pain management in patients receiving maintenance methadone therapy.

Methadone is commonly used in the treatment of heroin addiction. Patients with a history of opioid misuse or on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) with cancer often have difficult to manage pain. We studied 12 patients referred to the palliative care service with cancer pain who were on MMT.