Pilot Trial of Homebound Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

For eligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a standard and widely used consolidation therapy. Autologous HCT requires specialized care at a transplantation center and investment from patients and caregivers. We studied the safety and feasibility of delivering transplantation care in a homebound setting to decrease the burden of therapy and increase access to autologous HCT.

Access to Care: Using eHealth to Limit Location-Based Barriers for Patients With Cancer.

Background: Rural and urban communities may encounter barriers to care, which can lead to delays in timely screening, diagnosis, and treatment. eHealth interventions, such as televisits and remote patient monitoring, are being used increasingly to improve patient access to quality clinical cancer care and to support patient-provider communication.

Objectives: This article describes how eHealth can bridge gaps in patient access to cancer care and provides insight into successful eHealth program implementation.

Pilot Study of Telehealth Evaluations in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Telehealth involves the use of telecommunication and information technology for the delivery of clinical care and may be a mechanism to alleviate the burden of visits faced by patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Few studies have evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of telehealth visits in the care of HCT patients. We conducted 27 telehealth visits with 25 patients undergoing HCT using a videoconferencing system that allows for real-time, 2-way interactions and administered satisfaction surveys to patients and providers.

Building a Program: Implications for Infrastructure, Nursing Education, and Training for CAR T-Cell Therapy.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy program development has regulatory demands and unique operational processes that vary across settings. The infrastructure in which CAR T-cell therapy is implemented has implications for nursing education and competencies.

Objectives: This article presents an overview of operational approaches to CAR T-cell therapy program development and oncology nurse education considerations.

Using Patient Portals to Increase Engagement in Patients with Cancer.

Objectives: To review patient portals which serve as a tool for patient engagement by increasing access to electronic health care information and expanding ways to communicate with health care providers.

Data Sources: Reviews of the literature and first-hand experience.

Conclusion: Meaningful Use requirements propelled the design and development of patient portals in recent years.

Improving Patient Safety With Error Identification in Chemotherapy Orders by Verification Nurses.

Background: The prevalence of medication errors associated with chemotherapy administration is not precisely known. Little evidence exists concerning the extent or nature of errors; however, some evidence demonstrates that errors are related to prescribing. This article demonstrates how the review of chemotherapy orders by a designated nurse known as a verification nurse (VN) at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center helps to identify prescribing errors that may prevent chemotherapy administration mistakes and improve patient safety in outpatient infusion units.

Considerations for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree.

Today's progressively complex healthcare landscape increasingly demands leaders who are adept at managing change in uncertain environments. Representing this country's largest group of healthcare workers, RNs influence how research translates to practice and ensure quality patient outcomes. Doctoral programs provide prospective nursing students with opportunities to pursue degrees focused on research or practice.

The future of oncology care with personal health records.

Personal health records (PHRs) and patients' access to their own clinical information through a patient portal are changing the patient-physician relationship. Historically, health care providers have been gatekeepers of patients' medical records. Now, these portals provide patients access to clinical information, electronic messaging with the clinical team, and appointment and billing information.

Nurse and physician perspectives on patients with cancer having online access to their laboratory results.

Purpose/objectives: To compare the perspectives of oncology nurses and physicians regarding online access to laboratory results for patients with cancer pre- and postimplementation, and to evaluate the impact on workload.

Design: Pre- and postimplementation surveys distributed to nurses and physicians. In addition, a nursing workload study was conducted to measure the number of phone calls received from patients regarding laboratory results.