Serious Gaming for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Older Adults With Cancer: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Older adults are at high risk for toxicity due to cancer treatment and increased risk for adverse events related to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Unfortunately, older adults report multiple treatment-related symptoms but use few strategies to self-manage these symptoms due to erroneous beliefs related to the effectiveness of commonly taught self-management strategies. We developed a novel serious game, Managing at Home (MAH), to help older adults learn how to effectively self-manage CINV at home.

Adult Cancer Patients' Perceptions of Factors That Influence Hospital Admissions.

Purpose/aims: To explore cancer patients' perceptions of factors that influence hospital readmissions.

Design: A cross-sectional, prospective design was employed utilizing a 1-time survey and brief interviews to measure patients' perceptions and unplanned hospital admissions.

Methods And Variables: The principal investigator collected data from medical record review, the Hospital Admission Survey, and interviews to measure patient characteristics and perceptions of influencing factors that contributed to an unplanned hospital admission upon admission.

The Arthur App: Designing an Augmentative and Alternative Communication Method for Use With Hospitalized Patients.

An innovative augmentative and alternative communication method consisting of a mobile application (app) on an Apple iPad®, such as the Arthur app, can provide patients with barriers to verbal communication an easy means to express their needs, feelings, and questions. When using this technology, it is important to consider the right patient population at the right time, as well as the proper quantity and quality of information.

Unplanned emergency department visits and hospital admissions of older adults under treatment for cancer in the ambulatory/community setting.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the incidence and risk/protective factors for (1) unplanned emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions (HA) and (2) nausea/vomiting/dehydration (NVD) at time of treatment in older adults under treatment for cancer.

Materials And Methods: This is a exploratory retrospective cohort study of adults (60 and older) with cancer. Adults were included if they had a new cancer diagnosis and were being treated with chemotherapy.

Evaluation of processes, outcomes, and use of midline peripheral catheters for the purpose of blood collection.

Highlights: Results added knowledge on use of midline catheters (MCs) for blood sampling. Using MCs for blood withdrawal resulted in low rates of hemolysis (0.69%).

Using Serious Games to Increase Prevention and Self-Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Older Adults With Cancer.

Objectives: To examine the frequency and types of preventive and self-management behaviors reported by participants, as well as report acceptability and usability data for the electronic Symptom Self-Management Training-Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) serious game.

Sample & Setting: 80 adults who were aged 60 years or older and newly diagnosed with cancer were recruited from a community cancer center.

Methods & Variables: Participants were randomized to an intervention or control group.

Family Caregiver Knowledge, Patient Illness Characteristics, and Unplanned Hospital Admissions in Older Adults With Cancer.

Purpose/objectives: To explore factors related to unplanned hospital admissions and determine if one or more factors are predictive of unplanned hospital admissions for older adults with cancer.
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Design: A prospective longitudinal design and a retrospective chart review.

Finding the right fit: implementation of a structured interviewing process for clinical nurse specialists.

Purpose And Background: The purpose of this article is to describe how clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) in one organization developed a structured interviewing process for CNS candidates. The process has evolved in relation to implementation of national CNS competencies, growth of the role in the organization, and changes to reporting structure.

Outcomes: The CNS interview process includes panel interviews with various organizational leaders, CNSs, and team members.

Nononcologic use of chemotherapy.

Autoimmune disorders currently number more than 80 and have the potential for rising higher. Intravenous chemotherapy drugs, including antineoplastic and biologic agents, have long been associated with the treatment of malignant diseases. Because intravenous "chemotherapy" drugs are also included as treatment options for these disorders, more nononcology nurses are expected to possess the knowledge and skill to administer and manage these therapies.