Home enteral feeding: analysis and improvement of organizational models.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyze the organizational models of home enteral feeding used in 5 local health authorities (LHAs) in the Veneto region (Italy). By comparing these models with the main guidelines, the authors have attempted to determine the "minimum standards" to be adopted at an organizational level.

Materials And Methods: This 3-stage study analyzes procedures, precoded actions, and recordable processes.

Clinical governance benchmarking issues in oncology: aggressiveness of cancer care and consumption of strong opioids. A single-center experience on measurement of quality of care.

Aims And Background: The aggressiveness of cancer care near the end of life and the consumption of opioids are potential indicators of quality of care in palliative and end-of-life settings. The purpose of this article is to present a retrospective analysis regarding these themes and the adopted procedures to improve quality of care.

Methods: We evaluated all cancer patients treated and deceased during 2008 and considered those who died and received any antiblastic therapy within 14 and 30 days prior to death.

Ifosfamide encephalopathy and use of methylene blue. A case report of different sequential neurotoxicity.

Neurotoxicity is a clinically relevant adverse event observed with the use of ifosfamide. It is usually mild, occasionally severe and seldom fatal. Ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy requires interruption of chemotherapy, intravenous hydration and administration of methylene blue.