Results
Title

Improving Nursing Assessment and Early Identification of Ifosfamide-Related Toxicity in Patients With Cancer.

Authors

Sullivan, Jennifer A.; Virant, Deborah L.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy agents like ifosfamide can cause dose-limiting renal and central nervous system (CNS) toxicities. Routinely assessing for CNS changes associated with ifosfamide was not standard nursing practice, and the lack of provider and nursing knowledge of subtle CNS changes was identified as a safety factor that needed improving. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement an evidence-based nursing assessment tool to provide early identification of ifosfamide toxicity. METHODS: The project team created an internal tool incorporating the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events to categorize and grade toxicity symptoms. Nurses used the tool to assess patients' renal and CNS baselines and monitor for 13 potential symptoms throughout ifosfamide administration. FINDINGS: Acute care oncology nurses felt empowered to report subtle CNS changes when using the tool, leading to early identification of ifosfamide toxicity.

Subjects

OHIO; CENTRAL nervous system physiology; KIDNEY physiology; DRUG toxicity; CONTINUING education units; NURSES; TERMS & phrases; DRUG side effects; OCCUPATIONAL roles; NURSING assessment; IFOSFAMIDE; CANCER patients; EARLY diagnosis; TUMORS; QUALITY assurance; CRITICAL care medicine

Publication

Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2024, Vol 28, Issue 6, p551

ISSN

1092-1095

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1188/24.CJON.551-558