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- Title
Proactive or Reactive? Transforming the Practice of Safer Delivery of Toxic Chemicals.
- Authors
Handel, Debra; Van Allen, Donna
- Abstract
Ambulatory medical oncology patients are receiving numerous drugs within complex protocols. A greater number of venous accesses are required for this patient group, which exposes the patient to an increased risk of extravasation. An increase in the number of incidents of extravasation was seen in 2011, and the quality of care group in the oncology program at Grand River Regional Cancer Centre reviewed each case. A multidisciplinary, interdepartmental task force was struck to develop program wide guidelines for utilizing central venous access devices (CVADs) in the oncology population. This inspired group reviewed research, current literature, and practices. The goal was to create an innovative tool and process for assessing the need of a CVAD prior to the initiation of treatment. The tools that were developed aligned with the RNAO Best Practice Guidelines. This transformational practice was trialed utilizing small cycles of change that align with the PDSA cycles in quality improvement methodology. The tool and decision tree that were ultimately developed are easy to use and are critical in the decision making process. The data collected during the development and implementation phases included the measurement of mid-cycle insertion of CVADs, the number of extravasations, and patient satisfaction around the change in this practice. As Grand River Hospital is a Best Practice Spotlight Organization, this vascular assessment tool is an asset to the entire organization and the patients we serve.
- Subjects
BLOOD vessels; CANCER patient medical care; MEDICAL equipment; MEDICAL protocols; EXTRAVASATION; CENTRAL venous catheters
- Publication
Vascular Access, 2014, Vol 8, Issue 1, p24
- ISSN
1913-6692
- Publication type
Article