ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess current medical surveillance monitoring practices for health care workers who prepare, handle, or administer hazardous medications. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to members of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. RESULTS: Forty-six of the 91 survey respondents indicated that their institution had a hazardous medication surveillance program. We identified the most frequent laboratory (complete blood count) and physical (skin) examination components. A health history was frequently used. Statistical analysis did not suggest an association between institutions with greater resources and presence of a surveillance program. CONCLUSIONS: A consensus standard for medical monitoring was not reported by the respondents. We recommend using a standardized surveillance questionnaire and applying uniform laboratory testing across institutions, in addition to establishing a national repository for surveillance data.
Subject(s)
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/prevention & control , Health Facilities/statistics & numerical data , Occupational Exposure/prevention & control , Adult , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Middle Aged , Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Population SurveillanceABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To measure the distress of hospitalized adults with cancer and identify strategies and behaviors to manage distress.â©. PARTICIPANTS & SETTING: 185 adults with cancer hospitalized in a large tertiary hospital in the Midwest.â©. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: This study involved a one-time assessment using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN's) Distress Thermometer and two open-ended questions. Demographic data were reviewed, and responses to open-ended questions were analyzed by content analysis. A team approach was used to develop and validate themes. â©. FINDINGS: Strategies used by patients to manage distress were categorized as taking charge and embracing help. Helpful strategies were related to quality of life and relationship with care teams. â©. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Understanding of distress in hospitalized adults with cancer is limited, which warrants the attention of healthcare professionals. Study results have implications to enhance patient care and to address nationally established psychosocial care objectives and NCCN distress screening standards.
Subject(s)
Inpatients/psychology , Neoplasms/psychology , Oncology Nursing/methods , Quality of Life/psychology , Stress, Psychological/diagnosis , Stress, Psychological/nursing , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Midwestern United States , Qualitative Research , Young AdultABSTRACT
Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) syndrome is an uncommon, slowly progressive condition that usually arises from perforation of an adenoma in the appendix. PMP syndrome is characterized by mucin accumulation in the peritoneal cavity. Mucinous implants are found on all peritoneal surfaces and the omentum. PMP syndrome rarely metastasizes outside the abdominal cavity but remains a fatal illness as the space in the abdomen and pelvis required for normal function of the gastrointestinal tract becomes filled with copious amounts of the mucinous tumor. Treatment options include observation, aggressive debulking surgery, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and mucolytic agents.
Subject(s)
Appendiceal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Appendiceal Neoplasms/therapy , Peritoneal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Peritoneal Neoplasms/therapy , Pseudomyxoma Peritonei/diagnosis , Pseudomyxoma Peritonei/therapy , Aftercare , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Appendiceal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Combined Modality Therapy , Drug Administration Schedule , Humans , Incidence , Infusions, Parenteral , Oncology Nursing/organization & administration , Palliative Care , Patient Care Planning , Peritoneal Lavage , Peritoneal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Posture , Pseudomyxoma Peritonei/epidemiology , Rare Diseases , Syndrome , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , United States/epidemiologySubject(s)
Faculty, Nursing/organization & administration , Nurse Clinicians/organization & administration , Nurse Clinicians/psychology , Oncology Nursing/organization & administration , Attitude of Health Personnel , Awards and Prizes , Career Choice , Certification , Humans , Job Satisfaction , Minnesota , Nurse Clinicians/education , Oncology Nursing/education , Societies, Nursing , WisconsinABSTRACT
Patients with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma (DMPM) experience multiple symptoms from their disease and treatment, which can affect all aspects of their lives. Dyspnea, cough, pain, fatigue, depression, weight loss, anorexia, and cachexia are the most common symptoms. Early, ongoing assessment and management of these symptoms are imperative to maximize quality of life for patients with DMPM.
Subject(s)
Mesothelioma/complications , Pleural Neoplasms/complications , Algorithms , Anorexia/etiology , Anorexia/prevention & control , Cachexia/etiology , Cachexia/prevention & control , Cough/etiology , Cough/prevention & control , Decision Trees , Depression/etiology , Depression/prevention & control , Dyspnea/etiology , Dyspnea/prevention & control , Fatigue/etiology , Fatigue/prevention & control , Hospice Care/methods , Humans , Mesothelioma/nursing , Mesothelioma/psychology , Nursing Assessment , Pain/etiology , Pain/prevention & control , Pleural Neoplasms/nursing , Pleural Neoplasms/psychology , Quality of Life , Weight LossABSTRACT
Diffuse malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon, aggressive malignancy that occurs most often in the pleura of the lung. This article reviews the risk factors, incidence, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, staging, treatment options, and follow-up care of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma (DMPM). Curative approaches for treating DMPM are limited, and survival rates rarely exceed two years. Treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have shown limited benefit in improving survival. Extrapleural pneumonectomy combined with multimodal treatments provides a potentially curative approach, and newer efforts in multimodality therapy are promising. Clinical trials utilizing intrapleural chemo-photodynamic, gene, and immunotherapies currently are under way.
