Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE): a literature review with commentary on experience in a cancer centre.

Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) or hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a relatively common side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Many cytotoxic drugs have been reported to cause the condition but it is more frequently associated with 5 fluorouracil (5FU), liposomal doxorubicin and cytarabine. The oral 5FU precursor, capecitabine is frequently associated with PPE and with the recent extension of its use to adjuvant treatment, the incidence of PPE is likely to increase.

Admission and discharge practices: High Dependency Unit audit outcome.

This paper presents the findings of a retrospective audit of admission and discharge practices of a nurse led High Dependency Unit (Nurse Specials Unit) in Perth, Western Australia. The aim of the study was: to review the effectiveness of the inclusion and exclusion guidelines for patients admitted to the Nurse Special Unit (NSU); to identify characteristics of admitted patients; and to determine the level of adherence to admission protocols for documentation of patient condition, plan of care, medical and Clinical Nurse Consultant review. The sample comprised all patients admitted to the NSU from September 2004 - March 2005, excluding those (50) in the pilot study (n = 154).

Cytotoxic chemotherapy in the home: a study of community nurses' attitudes and concerns.

Cytotoxic chemotherapy initiated in a hospital setting and continued in the home is an expanding service. The evolution of such a service received a boost with the publication of the NHS Cancer Plan (Department of Health (DH), 2000a) and the NHS Manual of Cancer Service Standards (DH, 2000b). The literature claims a range of benefits of such a service including enhanced standards of care and cost savings.