As with anything new there are new issues and concerns as we start new processes. Years ago, (Yes, I am that old) our big concern was TB and compliance in taking oral meds. Patients were required to come into the office in order to make sure that they were taking the drugs and that what side effects they experienced were closely monitored. With the advent of all the new oral chemotherapy drugs, much presents as the same issues. Patient and family education are vital in making it a successful regimen. There may be medication diaries and specialized prescription instructions as well as dose monitoring. There would need to be follow up phone calls and continued education. There will be common barriers but with a multidisciplinary approach and collaborative sessions, these concerns should be able to be addressed. Most places have specific policies, procedures, and resources for these patients. Documentation as always will be paramount. Should medication be delivered to the home or the health care facility for disbursement and how it will be monitored continue to be part of the plan to be developed. When a patient comes in for IV chemotherapy, there is the opportunity to assess your patient and teaching and review of outcomes and interventions. My concern for oral treatment is that the situation is presented to the patient and they often are not sure what to report if anything regardless of the teaching. Oral drugs are expensive too and we want to make sure that we are anticipating the delays and cost factors and implementing ways to avoid any difficulties. In many instances, it may actually take more time and documentation to adequately take care of a patient on oral chemotherapy drugs. All in all, there remains good and bad features and a learning curve for us all, patient and healthcare team as well. As for being a former patient and on a daily drug for five years post treatment and also being a nurse, there were times that I even had an unintentional slip so what does that say for the patient with no medical background? Good day but where did the sun go? S
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
Categories |