Hematology Times
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Hematology NursingImproving QoL for survivors of lymphoma, other cancers
Doctor consults with cancer
patient and her father Credit: Rhoda Baer A newly published review suggests survivors of lymphomas and other cancers often have significant physical and psychological impairments resulting from treatments. And these impairments often go undetected and untreated, which can lead to disabilities. However, addressing the impairments—with preventative measures prior to cancer treatment and through rehabilitation after treatment—can significantly improve survivors’ quality of life (QoL), according . . . [Read Article] ‘Preferred’ catheters can increase risk of DVT
Patient receiving chemotherapy
through a catheter Credit: Rhoda Baer Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) can significantly increase a patient’s risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), according to a study published in The Lancet. Compared to other central venous catheters (CVCs), the use of PICCs more than doubled the risk of DVT among patients studied. And PICC-related DVTs were most common among cancer patients and those in intensive care. In recent years, PICCs have become the preferred device through which to administer . . . [Read Article] CLABSI incidence down, report shows
Infected red blood cells
Credit: Bill Branson New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) has decreased significantly in recent years. But there is still room for improvement. The study, published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, suggested that as many as 198,000 CLABSIs were prevented among patients in intensive care units (ICUs) between 1990 and 2010. However, the research also showed that about 15,000 . . . [Read Article] Scorecard increases use of VTE prophylaxis
Pregnant woman
Credit: Nina Matthews In a single-center study, using a scorecard to assess a patient’s risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after childbirth increased the use of VTE prophylaxis. In fact, patients at risk of VTE who had completed scorecards were nearly 3 times as likely to receive prophylaxis as at-risk patients without completed scorecards. These results were presented at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ 61st Annual Clinical Meeting as abstract 35. [Read Article] Streamlined tool effectively screens cancer patients
Nurse treating cancer patient
Credit: Rhoda Baer A shorter version of a commonly used nutrition-assessment tool can effectively screen cancer patients for malnutrition, according to researchers. The Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment tool (PG-SGA) is the recommended test used to identify malnutrition in cancer patients. Patients answer questions about their weight, dietary intake, symptoms that may affect intake, and their activity level. Then, trained personnel perform a physical assessment. [Read Article] |
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