Venous access in oncology and haematology patients: part one

Reliable and sustained venous access is imperative for the successful treatment of patients with malignant disease. Its institution is achieved by the proactive assessment of patients' venous access needs. Assessment tools may facilitate this process. This article presents a review of the literature on the three factors fundamental to assessment of patients' venous access needs: patient characteristics, treatment characteristics and available devices. This literature review contributed to the development of two venous access assessment tools that can be used by nurses: the adult Venous Assessment Tool (VAT) and the algorithm Deciding on IntraVenous Access (DIVA). They are presented in part two of this article, which will be published next week.     

Dying in the curative system: the haematology/oncology dilemma. Part 2

It is now beginning to be understood that a particularly problematic area in oncology in relation to palliative care is that of haematology. Family members and carers who have experienced the institutional deaths of loved ones speak of their experiences with concern indicating a dire need for changes to present practice. Recommendations arising from this comparative research are included.     

Dying in the curative system: the haematology/oncology dilemma. Part 1

Findings from qualitative research exploring the experience of a group of carers of patients with haematological malignancies in relation to end-of-life are presented as a contribution to documenting the emergent issues in this area. The findings are set in the context of parallel research on a group of carers who have experienced hospice care during the dying trajectory of their loved one. It is shown by comparison that the institutional deaths of this group of patients in haematology/oncology was far from the best practice end-of-life care that the hospice group received.     

Prospective audit of cytomegalovirus-negative blood product utilization in haematology/oncology patients

The transfusion management of immunocompromised patients often requires special blood product use such as cytomegalovirus (CMV)-negative cellular products, which are more costly than standard blood products and occasionally in short supply. We audited the use of CMV-negative products in haematology/oncology patients to determine the appropriateness of their use. A concurrent-prospective audit was conducted of all orders for CMV-negative packed red blood cell (PRBC) and platelet products in 201 haematology/ oncology patients. Once CMV serostatus was determined, orders for inappropriate CMV-negative units were cancelled, and filled as CMV untested units. During the 21-month period of this audit, the rates of inappropriate transfusions decreased for PRBC from 73.2% to 14.3% (chi2 = 68.4, P<0.001) and for platelets from 68.1% to 10.6% (chi2 = 65.6, P<0.001). The median time to cancellation of inappropriate CMV-negative orders was 11 days. This audit resulted in estimated cost savings of $16500 over the 21-month duration. Inappropriate requests for scarce and expensive blood products are substantially reduced by concurrent-prospective auditing of transfusion practice, in a manner that is both simple and cost effective.     

Complications associated with venous access devices: Part two

In the second of two articles the author discusses the secondary complications that can arise following insertion of venous access devices (VADs). Part one, published last week, examined the primary complications that can arise when inserting VADs.     

Venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer. Part I. Survey of oncology nurses' attitudes and treatment practices for ambulatory settings

Patients with cancer have a higher incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Little information currently exists on VTE and the understanding and beliefs of oncology nurses. Therefore, the attitudes and treatment practices of ambulatory oncology nurses were surveyed to determine the current knowledge base of VTE in patients with cancer. Survey results are presented along with a thorough literature review of thromboembolism and the unique risk factors for this frequent complication in patients with cancer. The causes of VTE in this patient population often are multifactorial and include hypercoagulability, stasis, and vascular endothelial damage from procedures or the neoplastic process itself. In particular, chemotherapy administration can increase the risk of thrombosis considerably. New therapies, including thalidomide, require oncology nurses caring for these patients to have heightened awareness of the potential for thrombogenic complications. This is the first of two articles that address the problem of thromboembolism in patients with cancer, including the survey results. (See part II on page 465.) Oncology nurses are essential in the care of VTE in patients with cancer and can help with patient identification, treatment, and compliance for improved patient outcomes.     

Venous access: the patient experience

Introduction

The evolution of venous access via peripheral cannulation, particularly in relation to the risks and the benefits of this procedure, is reported widely in the literature. However, there is limited research specific to the patient experience of undergoing venous access.

Aim

The intent of this qualitative study was to understand patients’ experience of venous access, with the aim of bringing forth their voices about the experiences of repeated venous access/cannulation attempts.

Methodology

This qualitative study used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of 15 participants in two rural oncology units in Australia. The participants had experienced repeated peripheral cannulation in order to receive chemotherapy. Study participants were asked to describe what it was like for them to be repeatedly cannulated. Data were collected via audiotaped individual interviews, the participants’ stories were transcribed and analysed thematically.

Outcomes

Themes emerged from the participants’ stories that provided insights into their perceptions of the experience of being cannulated and the decision-making processes regarding how and where the procedure occurred. The findings suggest that a holistic approach to care was often missing causing the participants to feel vulnerable. Gaining insight into their experiences led to a greater understanding of the impact of this procedure on patients and the need to improve care through encouraging more collaborative decision-making processes between clinicians and patients.

Conclusion

The implications for policy and practice focus on improving patient outcomes via procedural governance and education, with the intent of translating the findings from this research into evidence-based practice.

     

Implementation of a pharmacist-initiated pharmaceutical handover for oncology and haematology patients being transferred to critical care units

Goals of work  

An information gap with respect to specific therapies was identified when patients were transferred from the oncology and haematology unit (OHU) to the critical care units. The goal was to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-initiated pharmaceutical handover (PIPH) for patients being transferred from the OHU to the critical care units at a major teaching hospital.     

Use of and attitudes held towards unconventional medicine by patients in a department of internal medicine / oncology and haematology

A sizeable percentage of patients receiving conventional medical treatment also use unconventional medicine (UM). Surveys indicate that the prevalence of and motivation for the pursuit of the different approaches of UM is subject to individual, geographical, cultural and disease-related factors. We were interested in the concurrent use of and attitudes towards UM in patients who underwent conventional medical treatment in our oncologically orientated department of internal medicine in a regionally dominant teaching hospital. A representative sample (n = 131) of all inpatients and outpatients receiving treatment in the department or in its oncological/haematological outpatient clinic were asked to participate in a cross-sectional interview study on the use of unconventional therapies. In all, 128 patients (97.7%) agreed to participate in the study, and 65% of these patients were suffering from malignancies. Use of unconventional treatment was reported by 24% of all patients for their current medical problem, and 16% of the remaining patients had been thinking of adjunctive use. The use of UM was significantly higher among oncological patients (32%), and among oncological outpatients in particular (50%), than among patients with acute or chronic non-malignant diseases. Female patients predominated among the users of UM (71%). UM mainly took the form of various pharmacological and dietary approaches. Patients availing themselves of UM most frequently identified physicians (41%) as the source of treatment recommendation. Only 18% of the users of UM relied on these methods as a chance of cure. Use of UM was not generally motivated by dissatisfaction with conventional medical care. Only half the users informed their hospital physician of their adjunctive use of UM. Nearly 2 out of 3 of the users contended that UM had contributed to a mild or distinct improvement in their physical or psychological wellbeing. The use of UM in modern health care systems represents a widespread and intricate phenomenon, which cannot be understood by focusing exclusively on the objective assessment of clinical efficacy. Use of UM may be related more to a disease's unfavourable attribution than to its medically expected outcome. Coherence with individual illness paradigms and perceived efficacy are apparently important factors in patients' use of UM. These subjective aspects need to be recognised in caring patient-doctor communication.     

Central vascular access devices in oncology and hematology considered from a different point of view: how do patients experience their vascular access ports?

BACKGROUND: Oncology patients require long-term vascular access, but the subjective experience of having a port in daily life is not well studied. METHODS: In a prospective study, patients at an outpatient clinic filled out a questionnaire. INSTRUMENT: The questionnaire consisted of four questions. RESULTS: The top three reported benefits of having a port were (1) no more peripheral venipunctures, (2) greater convenience, and (3) arms left free for activities of daily living. Patients disliked the visibility of ports and complained about site soreness. CONCLUSIONS: Good nursing care includes the ability to provide optimal care and maintenance of the vascular access device, but understanding the patients' point of view is an added value.     

Totally implantable venous access devices via subclavian vein: A retrospective study of 368 oncology patients

Totally implantable catheters and totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) represent a valid method of administering long-term chemotherapy. TIVADs have several advantages over other methods of venous access: they are easy to implant under local anesthesia, they cause less discomfort for patients, and they can be implanted and managed on an outpatient basis. A total of 368 oncology patients were scheduled for percutaneous venous access devices. The purpose of this study was to examine the early and late complication rates of TIVADs used to deliver long-term chemotherapy. From June 2001 to January 2006, we placed 368 TIVADs, under x-ray guidance, for long-term chemotherapy in general oncology patients under local anesthesia (95% solid, 5% hematologic tumors). Percutaneous venous access devices were inserted into the subclavian vein, and adequate follow-up was provided in all cases (median, 145 d; range, 1–348 d). A total of 112 devices (30%) remained in situ at the end of the study. Early complications of TIVADs included 9 (2.4%) arterial punctures, 2 (0.5%) malpositions, and 1 (0.3%) pneumothorax, which required no thoracic aspiration. Late complications included 3 cases (0.8%) of venous thrombosis, 2 cases (0.5%) of pocket infection, and 1 case (0.3%) of port-related bacteremia. This study describes a series of patients with subcutaneous infusion ports connected to various catheters. This device is a good option for long-term access to the subclavian vein; major complications related to implantation are rare, and ongoing management of these devices supports their increased use in oncology patients.     

Venous occlusion of the access vein in patients referred for lead extraction: influence of patient and lead characteristics

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of patient and lead characteristics on occlusion of the access vein in pacemaker and ICD patients. Contrast venography of the access vein was obtained in 89 patients (17 patients with an ICD) scheduled for lead extraction. The indication for extraction was infection in 57 patients (systemic infection in 9) and lead malfunction in 32 patients. In 6 of the 89 patients, leads were introduced in both the right and left subpectoral area, resulting in a total of 95 venous entry sites. In 22 of these entry sites one lead was present, in 61 two leads, in 11 three, and in 1 four leads. The vessel patency was graded open or occluded. Occlusion of the subclavian vein occurred in four (13%) patients with lead malfunction versus 18 (32%) patients with infection (P = 0.07). In patients with systemic infection, 5 of 9 showed venous occlusion (P = 0.01 when compared to patients with malfunction, odds ratio 8.75, 95% confidence interval 1.21-64.11). Considered per entry site, the incidence of occlusion was 7 of 22 with one lead present, 17 of 61 with two leads, 0 of 11 with three leads, and 0 of 1 with four leads (P = 0.13). No patient had a superior vena caval occlusion. Patients with systemic infection have an increased risk of occlusion of the access vein. On the contrary, the study found no support for the concept that the risk of venous occlusion increases with a higher number of leads present.     

Antifungal prophylaxis in haematology patients: the role of voriconazole

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients and patients with haematological malignancies. Early treatment initiation is vital for improving survival, but is hampered by difficulties in timely diagnosis. Prophylaxis with a broad-spectrum antifungal, such as voriconazole, has the potential to decrease the incidence of IFI in haematology patients. Based on a growing body of data, voriconazole appears to be effective for the primary and secondary prevention of IFIs in HCT recipients, with generally good tolerability.