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    Clinical and Pharmaceutical Nurse Educators Collaborate to Bring Training to Nurses and Improve Patient Care
    Oncology nurse education
    Clinical and Pharmaceutical Nurse Educators Collaborate to Bring Training to Nurses and Improve Patient Care
    January 13, 2023
    Oncology Nurse Uses Retirement to Help Patients and Healthcare Professionals Understand Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker Testing Results
    Pancreatic cancer
    Oncology Nurse Uses Retirement to Help Patients and Healthcare Professionals Understand Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker Testing Results
    November 11, 2022
    The Life of Marie Curie and Her Contributions to Oncology
    Cancer treatments
    The Life of Marie Curie and Her Contributions to Oncology
    November 07, 2022
    Post-Flooding Natural Disaster Cancer Considerations and Patient Education Points
    Patient safety
    Post-Flooding Natural Disaster Cancer Considerations and Patient Education Points
    September 28, 2022
    Can Patients Use Continuous Glucose Monitors During Radiation Therapy for Cancer?
    Radiation therapy
    Can Patients Use Continuous Glucose Monitors During Radiation Therapy for Cancer?
    August 19, 2022
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    Safety

    Natural Disasters Take a Toll on Both Patients and Nurses
    Oncology nursing community

    Natural Disasters Take a Toll on Both Patients and Nurses, at the Cancer Center and at Home

    I live in Middle Tennessee, an area that’s part of tornado alley, a pathway across central United States that has a higher incidence of tornadoes. We routinely prepare for the storms, listening for the tornado sirens whether at home or work. Although there have been a number of tornado touchdowns in our region in recent years, fortunately none have directly hit our healthcare facilities.

    August 29, 2017
    Ambulatory Staffing
    Nurse staffing

    What Is ONS’s Perspective on the Ambulatory Staffing Dilemma?

    Appropriate nurse staffing is only one of the critical factors that contribute to optimal patient outcomes and is as important as the systems, technology, and quality standards in any care setting. The relationship between poor staffing, daily variation in quality, and increased workload to increased care errors, missed care, and patient and nurse dissatisfaction is well described.

    August 23, 2017
     Addressing Hypersensitivity Reactions to Chemotherapy
    Safety

    Time Is Short When Addressing Hypersensitivity Reactions to Chemotherapy

    Between administering antineoplastic agents, monitoring patient vitals, and preparing patients for treatment, oncology nurses are required to balance their attention between many intricate tasks. Chief among the division of duties is that oncology nurses closely monitor their patients for hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to prescribed agents.

    August 17, 2017
    Scalp Cooling for Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia
    Treatment side effects

    How Safe and Effective Is Scalp Cooling for Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia?

    Chemotherapy-induced alopecia has been reported by 77% of patients as the most-feared side effect of cancer treatment. In fact, as many as 10% of women say they would consider refusing chemotherapy or choosing a less effective treatment to avoid losing their hair.

    August 08, 2017
    hematopoietic stem cell transplant care
    Advanced Practice Nursing (APRN)

    Safely Provide Outpatient Care to Patients Receiving Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations

    High-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem cell support is a well-established treatment for many hematologic malignancies. This treatment can be a difficult journey for patients and families. Historically, patients have been treated in a traditional hospital setting in anticipation of severe side effects, including mucositis, febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and pulmonary, renal, and hepatic complications. Patients can remain profoundly immunosuppressed for months while recovering from transplant. However, better supportive care in recent years has allowed many centers to move all or a portion of their transplant care into an outpatient setting.

    August 03, 2017
    oncology patient safety in treatments
    Standards

    Using Standards Balances Technology Advancements With Critical Thinking

    Advancements in medical records technology provide safeguards and contribute to overall patient safety. However, consider the following treatment scenarios and how they may present opportunities for error and jeopardize patient safety.

    July 25, 2017
    Chemotherapy administration safeety
    Safety

    Who Is Monitoring Your Infusions for Administration Safety?

    Inquiries received in the ONS clinical inbox often ask about various responsibilities of nurses who hold an ONS chemotherapy provider card and have been deemed competent to administer cancer treatments within their practice setting.

    July 25, 2017
    USP <800>
    Safe handling

    What Oncology Nurses Need to Know About USP <800>

    Because of the risks and dangers associated with hazardous drugs, guidelines surrounding their use and handling have been issued since 1981. Since then, several organizations, including ONS (in tandem with the American Society of Clinical Oncology), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, have released guidelines for various providers who handle the drugs.

    July 11, 2017
    Ultraviolet Safety and Skin Cancer Risk
    Safety

    Raise Awareness in July for Ultraviolet Safety and Skin Cancer Risk

    With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to head outdoors and enjoy the sunny weather. But are you protecting yourself from potential risks? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named July as Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month. The goal is to spread the word about how important it is to protect everyone’s skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. This presents a teaching opportunity for oncology nurses and their patients—not just during July but all year long.

    July 06, 2017
    Multi-Drug Resistant Fungus
    Safety

    CDC Warns Healthcare Workers of Emerging, Multidrug-Resistant Fungus

    Candida auris is a multi-drug resistant yeast that is known to cause invasive infection and death. It first emerged in June 2016 and continues to present itself as a serious global threat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), throughout 2017, healthcare facilities in multiple countries report serious illnesses caused by C.auris in hospitalized patients.

    May 30, 2017
    Chemical Coping
    Pain management

    When Ineffective Pain Control Means Chemical Coping

    Central to our role as oncology nurses is provision of symptom relief balanced with a manageable side-effect profile. Although opioids are extremely effective at cancer pain management, they also bind to the brain’s limbic system and can produce reward responses. This can result in dependence and drug-seeking behaviors.

    May 22, 2017
    ONS Congress

    Multidisciplinary Approach Is Useful for Radiation Safety Training

    Tara Tatum, MBA, RN, and Stella Dike, MSN, RN, OCN®, both from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, presented the findings during a poster session at the ONS 42nd Annual Congress in Denver, CO. The poster was titled “Radiation Safety Education: An Innovative, Multidisciplinary Approach to Enhancing the Knowledge and Skills of Oncology Nurses in an Inpatient Radiation Setting.”

    May 06, 2017
    Standards of Care
    Standards

    How Do I Move Standards of Care Into Practice?

    April 26, 2017
    What Are ONS’s Recommendations for Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs?
    Safety

    What Are ONS’s Recommendations for Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs?

    Research suggests that healthcare workers who handle hazardous drugs may experience acute effects such as skin rashes or more chronic effects including adverse reproductive events and malignancy. This has led numerous government agencies to make recommendations regarding the safe handling of hazardous drugs. 

    April 25, 2017
    Text Messaging
    Safety

    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.

    April 13, 2017
    Immunotherapy Agents
    Immunotherapy

    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.

    April 11, 2017
    Mindfulness Meditation
    Safety

    Mindfulness Meditation Can Improve Safety in Your Practice

    Mindfulness meditation is a popular topic in the media now. Research has already demonstrated the clinical benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction for patients with chronic pain or anxiety disorders. Although there’s been limited research about the benefits of mindfulness stress reduction for oncology nurses and their patients, some evidence suggests that engaging in mindfulness exercises could lead to a safer environment.

    April 06, 2017
    Nursing Competencies
    Safety

    Competencies Create Expert, Accountable Nurses Delivering Quality Care

    When the National Academy of Medicine, formerly the Institute of Medicine, released its 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, it cited a need for improvement in nursing education and practice through the implementation of nursing competencies.

    April 03, 2017
    Best Practice Released for Targeted Medication Safety - Router.
    Safety

    Do You Know the Best Practices for Targeted Medication Safety?

    The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has added five new best practices and revised two existing ones for safe medication administration in its recent release of the 2016-2017 Targeted Medication Safety Best Practices for Hospitals.

    February 07, 2017
    Access Device book cover
    Safety

    New Access Device Standards Will Help Improve Safety in Your Practice

    Access devices have been used for decades to administer the complex treatments and supportive care that oncology nurses deliver daily to patients with cancer. As these devices and other products evolve, nurses need evidence-based methodologies for critiquing their safety and effectiveness.

    January 28, 2017
    nurse while pregnant
    Clinical practice

    What Is ONS’s Stance on Handling Chemotherapy While Pregnant, Breastfeeding, or Trying to Conceive?

    One of the questions that ONS commonly receives in the clinical inbox is whether nurses who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive can safely administer or handle chemotherapy and other hazardous drugs.

    January 03, 2017
    Grief & bereavement

    How Grief Can Impact Safety and Patient Outcomes

    Oncology nurses face some uncomfortably common truths when treating patients with cancer. Invariably—no matter how hard certain patients fight—some will die from their diseases. Patient death is a part of oncology care, and no nurse would tell you differently. But accepting and dealing with loss and grief is sometimes pushed aside in favor of stoic attitudes that some may equate with professionalism.
    November 24, 2016
    Patient safety

    New Computing Technology Ensures Safety for Telemedicine and Telemonitoring in Oncology Care

    As a research associate for ONS, I participated on a panel of oncology experts advising a group of undergraduate and graduate students regarding the lived experience of cancer treatment for older adults. The students, attending Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, PA, were aspiring computer scientists taking a course called Rapid Prototyping of Computer Systems; they developed the following research question based on input from the expert panel.
    October 24, 2016
    Culture of safety

    Become a Champion of Safety Through Error Recognition and Reporting

    Within a culture of safety, accountability for safe and ethical care is a priority. Nurses must advocate for their patients and actively prevent patient harm when faced with safety concerns. With the increasing complexity of cancer care, safety risks are always present. Errors can be life threatening, and oncology nurses must feel comfortable in their ability to recognize and report these events.
    October 20, 2016
    Nurses discussing safety report
    Culture of safety

    Join the 2016 Chapter Challenge for Safety

    ONS has committed to creating and fostering a culture of safety in oncology nursing, and we know our members are doing amazing work to keep themselves and their patients safe in practices throughout the country. Now, we want to hear your stories.
    September 06, 2016
    Patient safety

    Addressing the Challenge of CAUTI Prevention When Safety is at Stake

    From the day you began your career as an oncology nurse, it is quite likely that two main principles were ingrained into every aspect of your training and practice: infection prevention for our very susceptible patient population and using safe handling to reduce the risk of exposure to chemotherapy and other hazardous agents.
    August 26, 2016
    Interdisciplinary teams

    How Can You Achieve Safety Across Disciplines?

    Interdisciplinary communication is critical for patient safety across the healthcare continuum. One way our institution addressed communication barriers and looked to enhance understanding of each other’s roles was by creating an oncology service line pharmacy and nursing committee.
    July 05, 2016
    Culture of safety

    Safety Starts With You: Creating Your Own Culture of Safety

    Patient safety is of utmost importance in health care today, especially in an oncology setting where mistakes can have grave impacts on patients with complex care needs. The Health and Medicine Division, formerly the Institute of Medicine, estimated that 44,000–98,000 Americans die each year from preventable medical errors.
    July 05, 2016
    Patient advocacy

    Reflecting on Medical Errors and Advocating for Change

    Mistakes happen. Unfortunately, there’s no avoiding it, no one is above it, and I'm sure we can all think of a time that we made a mistake in our nursing practice. The events following a mistake in patient care can be chaotic and emotional. But after the dust settles, what’s most important is learning how to avoid the same mistakes from occurring again, and doing all you can to prevent your fellow nurses from making mistakes in a similar situation. Think of it as primary prevention.
    June 13, 2016
    ASCO Annual Meeting

    Incorporating Advanced Practitioners Into Team-Based Oncology Care

    During a session presented at the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting that discussed team-based oncology care, ONS member Wendy H. Vogel, MSN, FNP, AOCNP®, an oncology nurse practitioner at Wellmont Cancer Institute in Kingsport, TN, discussed how advanced practice providers can be involved in the care team process.
    June 06, 2016
    Patient safety

    Transparency Makes a Difference When Creating a Culture of Safety

    Have you ever made a mistake in nursing? Well, I have and want to share my experience, feelings, and outcome. When this happened, all that I kept thinking was, “Did I harm my patient?” Maybe that sounds familiar to you. I think we can all say that we went into nursing to help others, not harm them.
    June 06, 2016
    Prescription medication

    Older Adults May Be Taking Dangerous Medication Combinations

    More older adults are taking over-the-counter drugs and supplements with their prescription medications than ever, and as many as 15% of them may be in potentially life-threatening combinations, according to a new study reported in JAMA Internal Medicine.
    May 17, 2016
    Chemotherapy

    Verification Nurses Identify Chemotherapy Order Errors and Improve Patient Safety

    In 1995 when a patient died from a chemotherapy overdose at a major medical center, many cancer centers began reexamining their processes for safe chemotherapy administration and putting measures in place to reduce errors.
    May 10, 2016
    Patient safety

    Respecting Hazardous Drugs Protects Nurses, Patients and Eliminates Fear

    A recent article on the Scrubs website, “Chemotherapy Drugs are Killing Nurses” shared important facts and concerns regarding the handling of hazardous drugs. It also highlighted the need for comprehensive education and collaboration to establish a culture of safety around the use of these drugs by building respect, not fear, for hazardous drugs in the workplace.
    April 18, 2016
    Patient safety

    Celebrate Patient Safety Week

    March 13-19, 2016 marks Safety Awareness Week. It encourages both patients and healthcare professionals to take a role in promoting patient safety. This is an appropriate message, because it takes everyone working together to make care as safe as possible for patients, families, and the healthcare professionals who provide this care.

    March 13, 2016
    Hazardous oncology drugs safe handling guidelines
    Policies and procedures

    New Hazardous Drug Safe Handling Guidelines May Require Changes for Your Practice

    Healthcare workers who prepare and administer hazardous drugs have further incentive to follow the recommended precautions with the February 1, 2016, release of the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention Chapter 800. Find out more about these recommended precautions.
    March 01, 2016
    Patient safety

    Recognizing Smart Catches All Day, Every Day

    Great catch, near miss, smart catch—they all mean the same thing: someone protected a patient from harm during care. These healthcare gems happen 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by every discipline in every healthcare setting, yet we rarely celebrate them. Why? Because health care is supposed to be safe. We're supposed to be highly reliable. We are supposed to heal and not harm. It's a must.
    February 26, 2016
    Patient safety

    Evaluating Security in the Outpatient Setting

    It has been a little over a year since cardiologist Dr. Michael J. Davidson, 44, was shot and killed at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He was murdered during the day by the son of a patient he treated who had died a few months prior to the shooting. I remember that day well. I was working in my clinic and all of us wondered, “How could this happen? And could it happen in our clinic?” I like to think that all of our patients and families are thankful and appreciative for all we do for them, but unfortunately that isn't always the case.

    February 24, 2016
    Nurse well-being

    Using the I'M SAFE Method to Create a Culture of Safety

    Clinical environments demonstrating a strong culture of safety have optimized communication and teamwork among front-line staff, physicians, and leadership. A safe work environment is one in which the physical health and well-being of all staff are considered prerequisite for safe patient care. Consider for a moment the ways your workplace supports healthy behaviors on the part of employees.
    February 19, 2016
    Patient safety

    Fostering a Culture of Safety: Is Less Really More From the Patient Perspective?

    There is currently a huge focus on patient safety. It's not just in the news and literature. It pervades the clinical environment. I'm currently spending my days between two major teaching hospitals and an outpatient cancer institute, all in Boston, MA. Some of the safety concerns I have encountered just in the past week include 

    February 18, 2016
    Personal protective equipment (PPE)

    What You Wear Matters When It Comes to Safety

    “Hey, you didn’t dress up for me today. Where’s your pretty blue dress?”

    At first I wasn’t sure what the patient in the chemotherapy chair was talking about. After a moment, I realized the patient was referring to the blue safety gowns we wear. I heard the infusion nurse respond as she removed the chemotherapy from the hazard bag, “Oh yeah, I’m kind of in a hurry today.”

    While the patient could possibly benefit from the chemotherapy, for the nurse that same drug posed a serious hazard.

    February 14, 2016
    Patient safety

    Creating a Culture of Change for Safety

    Change is constant. Change is challenging. Some changes, like the five rights of medication administration, surgical timeouts, and clinical pathways, are compulsory. Changes are often identified when something fails. A traffic light becomes a permanent fixture at an intersection where accidents or a loss of life happen. A new protocol is enacted when a fatal error occurs. Awareness drives change and safety initiatives in health care.
    February 09, 2016
    Oncology nurse influence

    Be a Leader by Cultivating a Culture of Safety

    Because oncology practice settings are often are chaotically busy with the need to deliver complex care, high-risk treatments, and psychosocial support, oncology nurses are key contributors to the assurance of safe and high-quality care. Patients expect to receive safe care provided by competent staff, and oncology nurses must be aware of the magnitude and significance of safety-related risks.
    February 08, 2016
    Care coordination

    It Started With an Intake Form: Promoting a Culture of Safety Through Accurate Documentation

    During a patients’ initial visit, they’re asked to fill out a screening tool that helps provide a clearer picture as to what their home life is like. This tool addresses important information that helps to dictate our care. Though patients may feel like this is “just another piece of paperwork,” it is crucial to helping us understand their needs and to begin planning for special precautions we many need to take going forward.
    February 05, 2016
    Patient Education

    Top 10 Reasons Why Sunglasses Are More Than Just a Fashion Accessory

    Darker lenses do not necessarily provide more protection from harmful ultraviolet rays—consumers need to check the label to be sure the pair blocks 99%–100% of both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation or say “UV absorption up to 400 nm."
    July 04, 2014
    Cancer treatments

    Stop Medication Errors Before They Happen

    I saw something recently that made my alarms go off screaming "Med error! Med error!" I was about to get medication for my patient when a nurse jumped in front of me. I didn't mind; I had enough time and figured that he must be in a hurry. I saw him get medication out for his patient. Then, I saw him get medication out for a second patient.
    April 14, 2014
    Oncology infection prevention
    Patient safety

    Cancer's Infectious Counterpart

    For patients with cancer, it’s hard to believe any health condition could be scarier or deadlier than the tumor cells in their bodies. But infection—whether from compromised immune systems or cancer treatment itself—is a life-threatening safety issue many patients may face.
    March 01, 2014
    Healthcare safety standards

    Joint Commission Toolkit Aims to Decrease Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections

    Recent studies show that approximately 41,000 patients in the United States alone develop central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) annually and that CLABSIs are one of the most deadly types of healthcare-associated infections.
    November 25, 2013
    Double-Lumen implanted port
    Cancer treatments

    The Case of the Double-Lumen Dilemma

    Danielle has a double-lumen implanted port and is scheduled to receive rituximab for lymphoma. After accessing the lateral septum, the nurse is unable to get a blood return, even though saline flushes easily. Danielle comments that the “outside lumen hasn’t drawn well since it was placed a few months ago, and that the other nurses have been using the inside lumen.” The nurse accesses the inside lumen and is able to get a good blood return. What would you do?
    July 16, 2013
    Chemotherapy

    Risk of Miscarriage Is Increased for Nurses Handling Chemotherapy

    April 04, 2012
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