Improving oral oncolytic education in a safety-net outpatient hematology-oncology practice.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 266-266
Author(s):  
Ana I. Velazquez Manana ◽  
Piera Wong ◽  
Katherine Pang ◽  
Pelin Cinar ◽  
Niharika Dixit
Keyword(s):  
Safety Net ◽  
Toxicity Assessment ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Pdsa Cycle ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Oncology Practice ◽  
Oral Oncolytics

266 Background: Oral oncolytics (OO) offer convenient administration and reduce the burden of cancer treatment, while creating particular challenges regarding safety monitoring and adherence. A baseline review of oral oncolytic education (OOE) at our safety-net institution identified that none of the patients who started OO therapy from September to December 2019 had complete documentation of OOE and a care plan. This results in potential increased risk of toxicity, non-adherence to therapy, and poor adherence to follow-up schedule for lab monitoring, dose adjustment, and toxicity assessment. Therefore, we sought to increase the percentage of completed components of an OOE and care plan that are documented in the EHR prior to new oral oncolytic initiation to 60% over a 6-month period. Methods: A multidisciplinary Quality Training Program team consisting of 2 physicians, an oncology pharmacist, and an oncology RN specialist was created. With stakeholder engagement, we identified barriers to quality OOE and documentation, including: unfamiliarity of staff with ASCO-ONS standards, adoption of a new EMR, lack of standardized structure and documentation for OOE, and limited number of staff. PDSA cycle 1 defined RN role as staff in charge of oral oncolytic prior-auth, coordination, and education process, reinforced communication of providers with RNs, and defined the components of oral oncolytic education and care plan that meets QOPI & ASCO-ONS standards. PDSA cycle 2 implemented a new simplified workflow which included (1) EHR worksheet to document oral oncolytic education, (2) in-person RN teaching, (3) printed education materials, pill box, and thermometer, and (4) 1-week follow up calls. Results: Our baseline data revealed that only 55% of patients had any documentation of OOE. Content of documented OOE varied significantly with only a mean of 37% ASCO-ONS safety standards being documented. During PDSA cycle 1 documentation improved to a mean 54% standards, and with PDSA cycle 2 82% standards of an OOE documented. Overall documentation of OOE, increased to 83% by PDSA cycle 2. Symptom check 1-week follow-up calls increased from 22% at baseline to 78% after PDSA cycle 2. Conclusions: Over a 6-month period, we improved OOE and documentation by meeting our goal of increasing the number of documented components from 40% to 82%. Review of processes with stakeholders is imperative to practice improvement. Implementation of an EHR tool is an easy way to improve quality standardized OOE and has the potential to increase OO adherence and decrease toxicity.

scholarly journals Strategies for Successful Survivorship Care Plan Implementation: Results From a Qualitative Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. e462-e483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Birken ◽  
Alecia S. Clary ◽  
Shampa Bernstein ◽  
Jamiyla Bolton ◽  
Miriam Tardif-Douglin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Care Plan ◽  
Survivorship Care Plan ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Survivorship Care ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Follow Up Care ◽  
Oncology Practice

Introduction: Care for US cancer survivors is often fragmented, contributing to poor health outcomes. Care and outcomes may improve when survivors and follow-up care providers receive survivorship care plans (SCPs), written documents containing information regarding cancer diagnosis, treatment, surveillance plans, and health promotion. However, implementing SCPs is challenging. As such, we sought to identify strategies for successfully implementing SCPs. Methods: We measured SCP implementation using performance data from cancer programs participating in the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, an oncologist-led quality assessment and improvement program. We used semistructured interviews with cancer program employees (eg, physicians) to identify strategies for successfully implementing SCPs by comparing approaches in cancer programs that, according to Quality Oncology Practice Initiative performance indicators, developed and delivered SCPs to a relatively small proportion of eligible survivors and their follow-up care providers (ie, low performers; n = 6 participants in five programs) with approaches among programs with better performance (ie, moderate performers; n = 15 participants in nine programs). Results: Ten of 14 cancer programs developed SCPs for ≥ 50% of eligible survivors; two of 14 delivered SCPs to any survivors; and eight of 14 delivered SCPs to ≥ 25% of follow-up care providers. We found that moderate performers proactively addressed SCP requirements, leveraged requirements to improve survivorship care, set internal targets, automated implementation, had active leaders and champions, and tasked appropriate employees with SCP implementation. Conclusion: SCP implementation remains challenging. We identified strategies for successfully implementing SCPs. Future research should examine how cancer programs have achieved these strategies; findings could contribute to an understanding of the changes needed to implement comprehensive survivorship care.

Port in oncology practice: 3-monthly locking with normal saline for catheter maintenance, a preliminary report

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianfranca Solinas ◽  
Francesca Platini ◽  
Maurizio Trivellato ◽  
Carla Rigo ◽  
Oscar Alabiso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Normal Saline ◽  
Venous Access ◽  
Central Venous ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Oncology Practice ◽  
The Right

Introduction Patients with cancer need stable venous access using central vascular devices like central venous ports and peripherally inserted central catheters that can be used for a wide range of indications. Numerous flushing protocols exist including different frequencies for catheter locking to maintain catheter patency. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of lumen occlusion of central venous ports in a group of adult cancer patients, adopting a policy of locking with normal saline every three months. Methods This is a single-center retrospective observational study. During follow-up, we analyzed adult cancer patients who had undergone port insertion from January 1st, 2007 to August 31st, 2014. Flushing and locking were performed every three months with a syringe containing normal saline. Results We collected data from 381 patients with ports inserted in subclavian vein (379 patients) and in the right jugular vein (2 patients). Locking was performed during 3-monthly follow-up visits. Median follow-up was 810 days (90-2700 days). Among 381 ports, 59 were removed; the reasons for removal were: end of use (45 cases), catheter rupture (9 cases), dislocation (3 cases) and catheter-related bloodstream infection (2 cases). We had no reports of lumen occlusion. Conclusions Our data suggest that locking ports with normal saline every three months is not associated with an increased risk of lumen occlusion.

Respiratory Complications in Outpatient Endoscopy with Endoscopist-Directed Sedation

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kilian Friedrich ◽  
Sabine G. Scholl ◽  
Sebastian Beck ◽  
Daniel Gotthardt ◽  
Wolfgang Stremmel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Respiratory Infection ◽  
Endoscopic Procedure ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Respiratory Complications ◽  
Endoscopic Procedures ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Respiratory Complaints

Background & Aims: Respiratory complications represent an important adverse event of endoscopic procedures. We screened for respiratory complications after endoscopic procedures using a questionnaire and followed-up patients suggestive of respiratory infection.Method: In this prospective observational, multicenter study performed in Outpatient practices of gastroenterology we investigated 15,690 patients by questionnaires administered 24 hours after the endoscopic procedure.Results: 832 of the 15,690 patients stated at least one respiratory symptom after the endoscopic procedure: 829 patients reported coughing (5.28%), 23 fever (0.15%) and 116 shortness of breath (SOB, 0.74%); 130 of the 832 patients showed at least two concomitant respiratory symptoms (107 coughing + SOB, 17 coughing + fever, 6 coughing + coexisting fever + SOB) and 126 patients were followed-up to assess their respiratory complaints. Twenty-nine patients (follow-up: 22.31%, whole sample: 0.18%) reported signs of clinically evident respiratory infection and 15 patients (follow-up: 11.54%; whole sample: 0.1%) received therefore antibiotic treatment. Coughing or vomiting during the endoscopic procedure resulted in a 156.12-fold increased risk of respiratory complications (95% CI: 67.44 - 361.40) and 520.87-fold increased risk of requiring antibiotic treatment (95% CI: 178.01 - 1524.05). All patients of the follow-up sample who coughed or vomited during endoscopy developed clinically evident signs of respiratory infection and required antibiotic treatment while this occurred in a significantly lower proportion of patients without these symptoms (17.1% and 5.1%, respectively).Conclusions: We demonstrated that respiratory complications following endoscopic sedation are of comparably high incidence and we identified major predictors of aspiration pneumonia which could influence future surveillance strategies after endoscopic procedures.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Cryptococcal Antigenemia and Association with Follow-up risk of Cryptococcal Meningitis and Mortality among HIV Infected Patients in North West India – A Prospective Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajendra Bhati ◽  
Pramendra Sirohi ◽  
Bharat Sejoo ◽  
Deepak Kumar ◽  
Gopal K Bohra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cryptococcal Antigen ◽  
North West ◽  
Cryptococcal Disease ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome

Objective: Cryptococcal meningitis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV infected individuals. In the era of universal antiretroviral therapy incidence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) related cryptococcal meningitis has increased. Detection of serum cryptococcal antigen in asymptomatic PLHIV (People Living With HIV) and pre-emptive treatment with fluconazole can decrease the burden of cryptococcal disease. We conducted this study to find the prevalence of asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia in India and its correlation with mortality in PLHIV. Method and material: This was a prospective observational study. HIV infected ART naïve patients with age of ≥ 18 years who had CD4 counts ≤ 100 /µL were included and serum cryptococcal antigen test was done. These patients were followed for six months to look for the development of Cryptococcal meningitis and mortality. Results: A total of 116 patients were analysed. Asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia was detected in 5.17% patients and it correlated with increased risk of cryptococcal meningitis and mortality on follow-up in PLHIV. Conclusion: Serum cryptococcal positivity is correlated with increased risk of Cryptococcal meningitis and mortality in PLHIV. We recommend the screening of asymptomatic PLHIV with CD4 ≤ 100/µL for serum cryptococcal antigen, so that pre-emptive treatment can be initiated to reduce morbidity and mortality.

scholarly journals Anemia, sarcopenia, physical activity, and the risk of tuberculosis in the older population: a nationwide cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062232110159
Author(s):  
Jung Eun Yoo ◽  
Dahye Kim ◽  
Hayoung Choi ◽  
Young Ae Kang ◽  
Kyungdo Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Mild Anemia ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Male Sex

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether physical activity, sarcopenia, and anemia are associated an with increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) among the older population. Methods: We included 1,245,640 66-year-old subjects who participated in the National Screening Program for Transitional Ages for Koreans from 2009 to 2014. At baseline, we assessed common health problems in the older population, including anemia and sarcopenia. The subjects’ performance in the timed up-and-go (TUG) test was used to predict sarcopenia. The incidence of TB was determined using claims data from the National Health Insurance Service database. Results: The median follow-up duration was 6.4 years. There was a significant association between the severity of anemia and TB incidence, with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.28 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20–1.36] for mild anemia and 1.69 (95% CI, 1.51–1.88) for moderate to severe anemia. Compared with those who had normal TUG times, participants with slow TUG times (⩾15 s) had a significantly increased risk of TB (aHR 1.19, 95% CI, 1.07–1.33). On the other hand, both irregular (aHR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83–0.93) and regular (aHR 0.84, 95% CI, 0.78–0.92) physical activity reduced the risk of TB. Male sex, lower income, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, and asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increased the risk of TB. Conclusion: The risk of TB among older adults increased with worsening anemia, sarcopenia, and physical inactivity. Physicians should be aware of those modifiable predictors for TB among the older population.

scholarly journals O06 Baseline predictors of methotrexate-related adverse events in methotrexate-naïve patients with RA

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad A Sherbini ◽  
James M Gwinnutt ◽  
Kimme L Hyrich ◽  
Suzanne M M Verstappen ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Clinical Predictors ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Related Data ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
One Year

Abstract Background/Aims  Methotrexate (MTX) is the most common treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The prevalence of adverse events (AEs) associated with MTX treatment for RA have been studied extensively, but there are limited data on the predictors of these AEs. This study aims to summarise the prevalence rates of MTX AEs, including gastrointestinal (GI), neurological, mucocutaneous, and elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) enzyme, and to identify baseline demographic and clinical predictors of these AEs. Methods  The Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication Study (RAMS) is a UK multi-centre prospective cohort study of patients with RA starting MTX for the first time. Relevant demographic, medication, clinical and disease related data were collected at baseline. AEs were reported at six and twelve months follow-ups. The prevalence rates of AEs were calculated based on the proportions of patients who reported having had an AE within one year of follow-up. The associations between candidate baseline predictors and AEs were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results  A total of 2,089 patients were included with a mean age of 58.4 (standard deviation: 13.5) years, 1390 (66.5%) were women. 1,814 and 1,579 patients completed the 6 and 12 months follow-up visits, respectively. The prevalence rates of the AEs within one year of follow-up were: GI = 777 (40.6%), mucocutaneous = 441 (23.1%), neurological = 487 (25.5%), elevated ALT (> upper limit of normal [ULN]) = 286 (15.5%). Younger age and being a woman were associated with increased risk of GI AEs, (age: OR 0.97 per year increase in age, 95% CI 0.98, 1.00; male sex: OR 0.58 vs female, 95% CI 0.46, 0.74) (Table 1). Higher baseline Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score was an independent predictor of GI, mucocutaneous, and neurological AEs. Furthermore, having ALT >1xULN at baseline or history of diabetes was associated with increased risk of subsequent ALT elevation during the study follow-up. Conclusion  In patients with RA starting MTX, GI AEs were the most commonly reported AEs during the first year of follow-up. The identified predictors of AEs may facilitate discussions between clinicians and patients prior to commencing MTX, and may lead to increased adherence and consequently improved effectiveness. Disclosure  A.A. Sherbini: None. J.M. Gwinnutt: Grants/research support; BMS. K.L. Hyrich: Member of speakers’ bureau; Abbvie. Grants/research support; Pfizer, UCB, BMS. S.M.M. Verstappen: Consultancies; Celltrion. Member of speakers’ bureau; Pfizer. Grants/research support; BMS.

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