Improving cancer patient care with combined medication error reviews and morbidity and mortality conferences.

Background: To reduce the occurrence of medication errors, a systemic approach was developed combining anti-neoplastic medication error reviews and morbidity and mortality conferences (M&MCs). We report the first experience of implementing this strategy in oncology.

Methods: The case reports submitted to combined reviews were prepared by physicians and pharmacists, and medication error(s) were described and chronological and root-cause analyses were performed.

Administration of anticancer drugs: exposure in hospital nurses.

Background: Even though anticancer drugs are prepared in dedicated pharmaceutical units, nurses remain exposed to cytotoxic agents during administration to patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess this occupational exposure during the intravenous line-purging procedure at the patient's bedside before administration in oncology departments.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted over a 4-week period in the hematology and oncology departments at a university hospital.

Hypersensitivity to oxaliplatin: clinical features and risk factors.

Background: Oxaliplatin-based regimens induce a potential risk of hypersensitivity reaction (HSR), with incidence varying from 10% to 25% and lack of clearly identified risk factors. The present study aimed to assess incidence and risk factors in HSR.

Methods: All patients treated with oxaliplatin in the Medical Oncology Department of the Lyon Sud University Hospital (Hospices Civils de Lyon, France) from October 2004 to January 2011 were enrolled.