We frequently set up home infusion pumps for continuous 5FU. They are then followed by the VNA who go out once to make sure they understand how to use the pump and what to do in an emergency situation. The patient can then call the on call VNA nurse if there is a problem. They also have the 24hr number for the infusion provider. If I am setting up the pump in our outpatient infusion room because the patient has received other chemo prior to setting up the continuous infusion I always teach both the patient and a family member how to handle chemo, precautions to take if there is a leak, how to handle clothing and wash them if they become soiled with chemo. I teach them how to use the pump and how to troubleshoot problems. They are given chemo gloves, disposal bag, flushes and important phone numbers. I cover all issues related to the chemo, the pump and the device that the medication is infusing into. I then verify the 24hr on call nurses number and the infusion providers 24hr number. Margaret M Nicastro, CRNI, OCN Coorordinator IV Therapy/Oncology Gettysburg Hospital 147 Gettys Street Gettysburg, PA 17325 Phone: 717-337-4312 Fax: 717-337-4485
________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Lynn Hadaway Sent: Sat 2/18/2006 12:12 PM To: Jen R; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: 24 hour support for home chemo No you are not stuck in the past. This support after hours is necessary. I am not aware of anything pertaining to chemo infusion but there are guidelines for Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy that states this support is required for these programs. Since antineoplastics can be more dangerous that antibiotics, I would think the same level of support is required. ER's have many skills but I would not include management of complex infusion therapy problems among there best practices. Lynn At 10:18 AM -1000 2/17/06, Jen R wrote: >I know this has been discussed before, but I'm not having much >success searching the list. > >What is currently being done for patients who have chemo, usually >5-FU, initiated at an ambulatory infusion center. They then go home >and return several days later to have the infusion discontinued. Is >there a number for the patient to call after hours if there is a >problem with the infusion, such as the pump alarming or a >disconnection? > >When I did home infusion (for an infusion company), we had nurses on >call 24/7 to provide assistance and visits if necessary for anyone >receiving chemo at home, as well as for all our other patients. >Locally, some ambulatory centers are hooking up and d/c-ing home >chemo, with the patient basically having no support for after hours >beyond "go to the ER if you have a problem". > >I strongly believe that these patients deserve round-the-clock >support, and that to institute a home chemo program without this >support does not comply with standards of care. > >Am I hopelessly stuck in the past? What are other locales doing? > >Jennifer Rabalais, CRNI >Infection Control Coordinator >North Hawaii Community Hospital >Kamuela, HI -- Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RNC, CRNI Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc. 126 Main Street, PO Box 10 Milner, GA 30257 http://www.hadawayassociates.com office 770-358-7861 CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email may contain confidential health information that is legally privileged. This information is intended for the use of the named recipient(s). The authorized recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing this information to any party unless required to do so by law or regulation and is required to destroy the information after its stated need has been fulfilled. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of this email is strictly prohibited. If you receive this e-mail message in error, please notify the sender immediately to arrange disposition of the information.
