Publications by authors named "Nancy Tomczak"
Background: Due to chemotherapy-induced neutropenia or hematologic malignancies, immunocompromised cancer patients may have higher incidence of febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions compared with the general population and frequently require platelet transfusions. This quality improvement project compared the safety of transfusion using prestorage leukocyte-reduced and pooled whole blood-derived platelets (Acrodose/WBD) with conventionally produced poststorage WBD platelets (RDP) using an active hemovigilance system.
Methods: Every patient receiving a blood product at the hospital was virtually monitored in real time by trained nurses from a remote hemovigilance unit.
Background: In 2019, an increase in clotted platelet filter occurrences was noted with the implementation of new leukocyte reduction filters through a volumetric pump.
Local Problem: Occluded platelet filters contribute to delays in platelet transfusions, additional nursing workflows, and potential wastage of platelets, leading to staff and patient dissatisfaction.
Methods: Direct observation of nursing practice with priming platelet filters identified opportunities for improvement.
Background: Evidence suggests that exercise can have a profound impact on physiologic and quality-of-life outcomes for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Despite this, implementation of a gym on inpatient HSCT units may be limited because of space, infrastructure, and budget.
Objectives: This article presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of the gym and highlights its use for individual and group patient activities.