Implementing hexaminolevulinate HCl blue light cystoscopy: a nursing perspective.

Hexaminolevulinate HCl is a diagnostic imaging agent used with blue light during cystoscopy to help detect non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Blue light cystoscopy performed using hexaminolevulinate HCl has been found to detect more papillary non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors than cystoscopy performed using standard white light. Because bladder instillation and retention requirements of hexaminolevulinate during cystoscopy can affect patient flow in the perioperative setting, this technique necessitates changes in nursing practice and care of patients with known or suspected non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.