FDA Approves Marketing of First Digital Pathology Whole Slide Imaging System
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has permitted marketing of the Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution (PIPS, Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.), as an aid to the pathologist to review and interpret digital images of surgical pathology slides prepared from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue.
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PA Legislation Aims to Expand Role of Nurse Practitioners; Bipartisan Support Needed to Tackle the Nation’s Opioid Epidemic; New Poll Reveals Bipartisan Interest in Single-Payer Health Care
New legislation proposing to allow nurse practitioners the ability to practice to the full extent of their licensure is making its way through the Pennsylvania House and Senate. The bill was introduced to help ease the burden on healthcare professionals by loosening restrictions on the supervision over nurse practitioners.
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FDA Removes Risk Evaluation Management Strategies (REMS) for ESAs
On April 13, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) requirements for the use of Epogen/Procrit and Aranesp to treat patients with anemia due to associated myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
Revised USPSTF Draft Guidelines Recommend Individual Prostate Cancer Screening Decisions
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued new draft revisions for prostate cancer screening guidelines. In the draft, the USPSTF has changed its previous stance on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening tests for men aged 55–69. The drafted guidelines now recommend PSA screening tests for men aged 55–69 based on individual assessment. The USPSTF has upgraded its recommendation from D to C, encouraging physicians to discuss with their patients whether PSA testing is right for them. The USPSTF still recommends against PSA screening tests in patients aged 70 or older.
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Secured Text Messaging Orders Declared Unacceptable by the Joint Commission
Using secure text messaging for patient care orders is unacceptable, the Joint Commission concluded in January 2017.
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AJCC Cancer Staging System Will See Changes in 2018
Beginning in January 2018, oncology nurses will see changes to the way their patients’ cancers are staged with the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) system. According to a presentation at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network annual conference in March 2017, when the AJCC 8th Edition Cancer Staging System takes effect on January 1, 2018, more cases may be classified as stage I, especially for patients with breast cancer.
Bortezomib May Improve Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma
Adding bortezomib to combination therapy with lenalidomide and dexamethasone may improve progression-free and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The study findings were published in Lancet.
Presidential Personnel Appointments That Affect Healthcare Policy
There is a difference between campaigning and governing. Running for office is about putting out bold ideas and galvanizing a base of supporters who are energized by the opportunity for real change. It’s exhilarating and fluid. The momentum can be like a rock concert, and people are carried away with excitement about the future.
Annual Cancer Report Identifies Significant Increases in Survival
As part of its Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer for 1975-2014, a group of organizations and agencies identified significant increases in cancer survival in the United States, with survival rates more than doubling for eight cancers.
What Oncology Nurses Need to Know About Immunotherapy Agents
As immunotherapeutic options for cancer treatments continue to grow, oncology nurses need a deeper understanding of the therapies, how they work, and how to manage their side effects, so they can continue to provide the best patient care.