Changing Nursing Practice in Survivorship Care With Clinical Decision Tools.

The paradigm shift to include survivorship care as part of the cancer care continuum underscores the critical need for a change in nursing practice. One way to ensure that change in practice is delivered in a safe and efficient manner is through the use of clinical decision tools (CDTs). Such tools can be used to increase relevant knowledge and skills of nurses and patients.

Usage of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in cancer patients at an academic cancer center and experience with specific care management tools for anemia.

Background: In 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued regulatory alerts for use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in cancer patients with anemia after clinical trials and meta-analysis data found that high ESA doses were associated with adverse outcomes in patients. In response to these findings, specific patient management tools for anemia (consisting in an algorithm and prescribing order set) were developed by a multidisciplinary team at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Methods: A retrospective study consisted of 7117 patients aged 18 years and older with cancer malignancies who had received an ESA between January 2006 and December 2008 at MD Anderson.

Incidence and prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery and treated according to clinical pathways.

Objective: To minimize treatment variations, we have implemented clinical pathways for all breast cancer patients undergoing surgery. We sought to determine the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients treated on these pathways.

Summary Background Data: Cancer patients have an increased risk of VTE because of a hypercoagulable state.

Outcomes of treatment pathways in outpatient treatment of low risk febrile neutropenic cancer patients.

Background: We treated low-risk febrile neutropenic cancer patients utilizing two standard outpatient antibiotic pathways: oral ampicillin/clavulanate (500 mg) and ciprofloxacin (500 mg) or intravenous ceftazidime (2 g) and clindamycin (600 mg) every 8 h. The objectives were to determine the success of outpatient treatment of low-risk febrile neutropenia, to identify factors predicting outpatient failure, and to determine mortality related to the febrile episode.

Methods: Eligibility criteria included solid tumor diagnosis, stable vital signs, temperature > or =38.

The role of nursing in cervical cancer prevention and treatment.

Nurses today assume multiple roles, such as patient advocate, care provider, and research investigator. At the Second International Conference on Cervical Cancer (April 11-14, 2002, Houston, TX), nurses presented original research describing these roles in the context of cervical cancer screening, prevention, and detection in the United States and Sweden; outlined the uses of practice guidelines; and suggested future directions for nursing research. In the 20th century, nurses expanded their patient care responsibilities and promoted cancer control by expanding their skills.