Medication Safety Quality Measures

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Medication Safety Quality Measures

Chemotherapy management protocols

Chemotherapy is the term used to describe anticancer drugs used to treat cancer. Chemotherapy has been used for many years and is one of the most common cancer treatments.

In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Chemotherapy may be harmful to normal tissue, and some types are highly toxic to specific organs. Errors in chemotherapy can, therefore, be devastating.

A recent study reviewing over 10,000 medication orders was published in the journal Cancer (December, 2005; 104(11): 2477-2483). Study authors found a relatively low chemotherapy error rate of 3 percent. Other chemotherapy infusion centers may have higher or lower error rates. Chemotherapy management protocols (evidence-based formal plans for managing a disease or condition), however, can help to decrease preventable errors by using the latest medical research.

According to an article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (September 1, 2005; 23(25): 6233-6239), protocols (evidence-based formal plans for managing a disease or condition) for chemotherapy management should include:

• having a pathology report in the medical record
• documenting informed consent for chemotherapy
• adhering to standard chemotherapy recommendations for patients with certain stages of breast, colon, and rectal cancer
• using chemotherapy flow sheets

Chemotherapy management protocols help to manage some of the undesirable effects of chemotherapy as well. The American Cancer Society (ACS) has developed protocols that include assessing (actively looking for) and treating the following common chemotherapy side effects:

• pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• fever
• neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
• anemia (low blood iron level)
• fatigue

Chemotherapy management protocols offer hospitals the most up-to-date information for helping patients to achieve optimal health during chemotherapy.

St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center uses chemotherapy management protocols (evidence-based formal plans for managing a disease or condition) for patients undergoing chemotherapy in outpatient and inpatient settings.