Volume 16, Issue 3, December 2005
     
Coordinator's Message
Volunteers Are Increasing With Membership

Patricia E. Frank, RN, BSN, OCN®
Drexel Hill, PA
pefrank@earthlink.net

As I look out my window, I start to see signs of the beautiful season of fall, but my thoughts and prayers are very much with our fellow ONS and Home Care SIG members whose lives have been affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the past few months. They cannot see the beauty of the changing of the season but only ruins of their homes, towns, and the lives they knew. I know most of us have tried to help in various ways, from being a part of the rescue effort to giving donations that have helped so much. As the months pass, let us not forget the people of the southern states that were affected when you do not see their stories on the front page of every newspaper anymore. It will take many months and even years for them to rebuild their lives. Please keep them in your prayers, and try to continue giving them as much support as you are able to.

My husband and I moved in November, so all my contact information has changed. I will send out a special communiqué to all members to update you once I get our new e-mail address and phone number. If you have a question, idea, or want to get more involved while I am unavailable, please contact Mary Warner (warner@msn.com) or Marilyn Stoner ( marilynstoner@verizon.net).

The leadership team members are very excited with the increase of support from our Home Care SIG members who are interested in helping with various projects mentioned in our last newsletter and on the Virtual Community. At present we have four Home Care regional contacts, who are Debbie Potts in North Carolina, Beth Mena in Massachusetts, Cindy Mauldin in Pennsylvania, and Danielle Schoenike in Illinois. A special thank you to these members. We would like to have at least 10 and plan to implement the program January 2006. The regional contact person's information and area they are covering will be posted both in the newsletter and on the Virtual Community once the program is up and running. I will update them as I receive information from the ONS National Office, and they will be used as a resource person for our members. Any other member who is interested, please contact me as soon as possible. Marilyn Stoner, our newsletter editor, has developed a research project on Home Care Nurses' Knowledge of Palliative Care. We are in the process of submitting an application to the National Office for special project funding. We want to thank Meg Maley and Jill Teixeira from Oncology Care Home Health Specialists, who are working closely with us on this project.

Since April, I have tried to send either e-mails or notes to every new member of our SIG. Also, Mary Warner and I developed a survey for our members who have not renewed their membership. Both have been received very well. On the survey from the nonrenewal, I have had 6 returns out of 20, and all of these members noted that they did not renew because of a change in the field of oncology they are now in.

New Members: April-August, 2005

Madeleine Boleslawsk (Wilmington, DE)

Michele Bonnette (Sheridan, WV)

Mary Cole (Spring Lake Park, MN)

Janice Connor (Waco, TX)

Deb Costella (Blaine, MN)

Gynis Cumming (Christchurch, New Zealand)

Mary Jane Gordon (Thornville, OH)

Mary Lavery (Colchester, CT)

Libia Landrito (Sugar Land, TX)

Margaret Maley (Newark, DE)

Judith Martin (Norman, OK)

Kathie Melville (Harwick Port, MA)

Elizabeth Mena (North Grafton, MA)

Paula Munsell (Bethany, OK)

Hong Nguyen (Houston, TX)

Ann Nutter (Rochester, NY)

Mary Redmon (Brooklyn, OH)

Anisea Rhodes (Alva, OK)

Claudia Shroyer (Narberth, PA)

Beatrice Snyder (Blackwood, NJ)

Barbara Stewart (Santa Maria, CA)

Linda Stuckey (Royal Oak, MI)

Mary Tondreau (Moorpark, CA)

Welcome to all new members.

Updates: Presentations for Congress 2006

Two topics were submitted: "Indoor Environmental Carcinogens: A Hidden Danger" and "Coordinating Care of the Cancer Patient Beyond the Walls of the Hospital." Neither was accepted for this Congress. But we are going to keep trying. A special thanks to both Meg Maley and Beverly Hudson, who put in a great deal of time preparing these submissions. Beverly is working on changing her presentation into a poster for Congress 2006, and Meg is looking at changing the one on carcinogens into a roundtable for the 2006 Institutes of Learning (IOL).

Each SIG is able to nominate one member per award for the various ONS Foundation scholarships. This year we nominated Mary Zimny for the Pearl Moore Nurse Practitioner Conference Scholarship and Marilyn Stoner for a 2006 Congress Scholarship. Please drop us a line and let us know how we are doing. Are we meeting your needs? Are there any concerns you want us to address? Tell us about new therapies you have started in your practice. Any new ideas on the telephone triage on call? Do you have an article you have written, or is there a subject you want to write about? We would like to have it for the newsletter. Please forward it to Marilyn.

If any members attended IOL or the Oncology Nurse Practitioner Conference, we would love to hear about it and publish it in our next newsletter.

Take care. Remember the Home Care SIG is made up of 100 members, and we would love to hear from all of you.

 
The Home Care SIG Newsletter is produced by members of the
Home Care SIG and ONS staff and is not a peer-reviewed publication.

Special Interest Group Newsletter  December 2005
 
   

Home Care Nurses' Knowledge of Palliative Care for Oncology Patients

Here is the project we are proposing for our SIG. If you have any comments or would like to join in on the fun, let Marilyn know.

SIG Home Care Proposal Version 2.0
ONS Special Project Funding
Purpose of the Project
  1. To develop educational programs related to oncology care in the home
  2. To assume a proactive status for cancer nursing issues
  3. To impart state-of-the-art issues in relation to home care
  4. Increase Home Care SIG membership
  5. Assess the knowledge of homecare (and hospice) nurses' knowledge of palliative care of patients with cancer
  6. Identify the most common Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS, 2004), MOO codes, and timeliness issues (2004) related to documenting palliative cancer care for homecare nurses.
Significance of the Issue
  1. The ONS Home Care SIG is one of the largest organizations of homecare nurses in the United States. The only national homecare association (Home Care Nurses Association) has ceased to operate, and the American Nurses Credentialing Center homecare certification has been discontinued (2005).
  2. The Home Care SIG has not previously requested funding for a project.
  3. This project can increase the involvement of SIG members by volunteering to be a data collection site or work in the project team.
  4. Could possibly collaborate with the Hospice SIG
  5. Palliative care is a key component of ONS's priorities.
  6. The National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care (NCP, 2004) is new and requires attention for implementation in home care for patients with cancer.
  7. ONS's research priorities focus on symptom management (2003).

Time Frame

Year 1

February or March 2006

Online palliative care quiz for nursing (PCQN)

Winter 2006

Data collection from chart survey

Spring 2006

Data analysis

Presentation to ONS
Year 2
Fall 2006 Publications

Project Description

Summary: This project has two parts. The first part is a brief online assessment of the general palliative care knowledge of homecare nurses using the tool developed and tested by Ross, McDonald, and McGuinness (1996), the palliative care quiz for nursing (PCQN). The second part of the project involves a chart review to assess the incidence, type, and frequency of oncology-related interventions performed by oncology homecare nurses.

Participants: Volunteer nurses from the Home Care SIG and homecare agencies

Locations

Oncology Care Home Care
Newark, Delaware

Methodology

Online PCQN: The PCQN is a validated tool that assesses nurses' basic knowledge of palliative care. This tool will be given to volunteer nurses in homecare agencies. Simultaneously, a chart review will be conducted (at the same agencies) to identify the most common palliative care issues that nurses encounter in patients with cancer. Focus of the chart review will be OASIS and medication documentation.

Chart Review

Charts will be selected from the agency files that meet the following criteria.
  1. Cancer diagnosis
  2. Discharged
  3. Had at least two visits in an episode of care
  4. Adults

Data will be collected in January-March 2006 and will be analyzed at the Home Care SIG meeting at the ONS Congress in May. This unique approach to data analysis will provide the Home Care SIG with an opportunity to work together to understand the meaning of the data and to make recommendations to ONS and others regarding the results, including an analysis of how the standardized OASIS tools capture the care needs of patients with cancer.

Publications and presentations will be done in fall 2006 and spring 2007.

The Home Care SIG Virtual Community will host documents and ongoing discussion about the project so that all members of the SIG may observe the progress of the project. The goal is to foster discussion about the research role of the Home Care SIG.

Project Plan

Phase

Action

Preparatory

  1. Develop proposal for formal submission to ONS.
  2. Submit proposal to the California State University (CSU), Fullerton Office of Grants and Contracts.
  3. Ascertain if funding is coming from ONS.
    1. Notify all parties.
  4. Review project plan with volunteers and SIG members (conference calls and Web-based discussions).
    1. Adapt PCQN to include other questions about National Consensus Standards for Palliative Care.
  5. Institutional review board (IRB) approval-CSU Fullerton
    1. Set the date for the on-site visits for chart reviews.
  6. Create the online PCQN (once IRB approval is received).
  7. Create a link on Dr. Stoner's Web site about the project.
  8. Request for Home Care SIG volunteers and for agencies for data collection.

One: February/March 2006

  • 1.1   Conference call with all volunteers to announce the start of the project and give instructions
  • 1.2   Create the live link for the quiz.
  • 1.3   Photocopy tools to be used in chart review.
  • 1.4   Make travel plans.
  • 1.5   Provide update on Home Care SIG Web page.

Two: February/March 2006

  • 2.1   Data collection
  • 2.2  Conference calls at beginning and end of data collection
  • 2.3   Proposal for presentation at ONS
  • 2.4   Update on Home Care SIG Web page

Three: April 2006

  • 3.1  Data analysis
  • 3.2  Conference calls at beginning and end of data analysis

Four: Fall 2006

  • 4.1  Publications written
  • 4.2  Analysis/evaluation of project

Project/research coordinator: Marilyn Stoner, RN, PhD
Team members: Pat Frank, Meg Maley, and Jill Teixeira

Important Links

Home Care SIG Virtual Community: http://homecare.ons.wego.net/

Home Health Compare: www.medicare.gov/HHCompare/Home.asp

National Association for Home Care and Hospice (2004), Basic statistics about home care: http://nahc.org/NAHC/Research/04HC_Stats.pdf

National Association for Home Care and Hospice, Medicare-certified home health agencies and hospices by state, January 2000: http://nahc.org/NAHC/Research/numhha.html

References

Ross, M.M., McDonald, B., & McGuinness, J. (1996). The palliative care quiz for nursing (PCQN): The development of an instrument to measure nurses' knowledge of palliative care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 23, 126-137.

 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  December 2005
 
   

Focus on a Special Homecare Agency
Development of an Oncology Specialty in Home Care

Meg Maley, RN (Director) and
Jill Teixeira, RN (Assistant Director)
Oncology Specialty in Home Care

Adapted from a presentation by Jill Teixeira, RN, MSN

Oncology Home Care Specialists is a team of experts dedicated to delivering excellent, holistic health care to people living with cancer. They are unique in the country. The entire staff is always striving to compassionately promote optimal quality of life and independence for clients and their families. The patients and families feel the benefit of their specialized oncology knowledge. Assistant Director Jill Teixeira enthusiastically lets everyone know they are deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of the people they have the privilege to touch.

This Medicare-certified homecare agency provides traditional skilled services including nursing, physical therapy, occupational and speech therapy, medical social work, nutritional support, and homecare aide services. However, this specialized agency also provides wound and ostomy care, pain and lymphedema management, a post-breast surgery program, and a mind-body program.

The agency is divided into three departments, which are nursing, operations, and rehabilitation. The staff members in each department apply "best practices" in their clinical work. Their policy and procedures are continuously updated from oncology and homecare research. When patients come to the end of life, the staff also provides palliative care and referral to hospice.

This unique homecare agency is a shining example of how homecare oncology nurses can make significant contributions in the lives of people with cancer.
 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  December 2005
 
   

News Briefs

ONS Hurricane Katrina Resource Page
ONS shares its heartfelt thoughts and prayers with members, colleagues, and citizens impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. For more information, please visit the ONS Katrina Resource Page at www.ons.org/katrina.shtml.

New Chemotherapy Guidelines Are Here
Order your copy of the newly revised and updated second edition of the number-one resource for chemotherapy administration. With more than 46,000 copies sold since 2001, thousands of oncology nurses have studied and consulted the information found in Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. The new second edition is on sale now at http://esource.ons.org/ProductDetails.aspx?sku=INPU0560.

Experience Congress Through Virtual Sessions
Thirteen exciting virtual sessions from the ONS 30th Annual Congress are now available. These online sessions combine streaming audio and presentation slides for a multimedia Congress experience in the comfort of your office or home. Visit www.ons.org/Meetings/PastConferences/Congress05/sessions.shtml to get started.

New Book on Nutritional Issues in Cancer Available Now
Nutritional Issues in Cancer Care, written by both RNs and registered dietitians, is a new, practical guide on nutrition for healthcare professionals involved in the day-to-day management of patients in all phases of cancer care including prevention, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care. Order today at http://esource.ons.org/ProductDetails.aspx?sku=INPU0564.

Check Out the Redesigned Evidence-Based Practice Resource Area
Use the Evidence-Based Practice Resource Area as your guide to identify, critically appraise, and utilize evidence to solve clinical problems. Be sure to check out the new format, which allows for much easier use and navigation. Visit http://onsopcontent.ons.org/toolkits/evidence/index.shtml.
 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  December 2005
 
   

Membership Information

 SIG Membership Benefits
  • Network with colleagues in an identified subspecialty area around the country.
  • Contribute articles for your SIG's newsletter.
  • Participate in discussions with other SIG members.
  • Contribute to the future path of the SIG.
  • Share your expertise.
  • Support and/or mentor a colleague.
  • Receive information about the latest advancements in treatments, clinical trials, etc.
  • Participate in ONS leadership by running for SIG coordinator-elect or join SIG work groups.
  • Acquire information with a click of a mouse at http://sig.ons.wego.net/index.v3page;jsessionid=l5nhe8e4qt77?v2_group=0&p=4918, including
    • Educational opportunities for your subspecialty
    • Education material on practice
    • Calls to action
    • News impacting or affecting your specific SIG
    • Newsletters
    • Communiqués
    • Meeting minutes.
Join a Virtual Community

A great way to stay connected to your SIG is to join its Virtual Community. It's easy to do so. All you will need to do is
  • Log on to the ONS Web site (http://www.ons.org/).
  • Select "Membership" from the tabs above.
  • Then, click on "ONS Chapters and Special Interest Groups."
  • Scroll down to "Visit the ONS Special Interest Groups (SIG) Virtual Community" and click.
  • Now, select "Find a SIG."
  • Locate and click on the name of your SIG from the list of all ONS SIGs displayed.
  • Once the front page of your SIG's Virtual Community appears on screen, select "New User" from the top left. (This allows you to create log-in credentials.)
  • Type the required information into the text fields as prompted.
  • Click "Join Group" (at the bottom right of the text fields) when done.

    Special Notices
    • If you already have log-in credentials generated from the ONS Web site, use this information instead of attempting to generate new information.
    • If you created log-in credentials for the ONS Web site and wish to have different log-in information, you will not be able to use the same e-mail address to generate your new credentials. Instead, use an alternate e-mail address.
Subscribe to Your SIG's Virtual Community Discussion Forum

All members are encouraged to participate in their SIG's discussion forum. This area affords the opportunity for exchange of information between members and nonmembers on topics specific to all oncology subspecialties. Once you have your log-in credentials, you are ready to subscribe to your SIG's Virtual Community discussion forum. To do so,
  • Select "Log In," located next to "New User," and enter your information.
  • Next, click on the "Discussion" tab on the top right of the title bar.
  • Now, select "Featured Discussion" from the left drop-down menu.
  • Locate and select "Subscribe to Discussion" inside the "Featured Discussion" section.
  • Go to "Subscription Options" and select "Options."
  • When you have selected and entered all required criteria, you will receive a confirmation message.
  • Click "Finish."
  • You are now ready to begin participating in your SIG's discussion forum.
Participate in Your SIG's Virtual Community Discussion Forum
  • First, log in. (This allows others to identify you and enables you to receive notification [via e-mail] each time a response or new topic is posted.)
  • Click on "Discussion" from the top title bar.
  • Select "Featured Discussion" from the left drop-down menu.
  • Click on any posted topic to view contents and post responses.
Sign Up to Receive Your SIG's Virtual Community Announcements

As an added feature, members also are able to register to receive their SIG's announcements by e-mail.
  • From your SIG's Virtual Community page, locate the "Sign Up Here to Receive Your SIG's Announcements" section. This appears above the posted announcements section.
  • Select the "Click Here" feature, which will take you to a link to subscribe.
  • Once the "For Announcement Subscription Only" page appears on screen, select how you wish to receive your announcements.
    • As individual e-mails each time a new announcement is posted
    • One e-mail per day comprised of all new daily announcements posted
    • Opt-out, indicating that you will frequently browse your SIG's Virtual Community page for new postings
  • Enter your e-mail address.
  • Click on "Next Page."
  • Because you have already joined your SIG's Virtual Community, you will receive a security prompt with your registered user name already listed. Enter your password at this prompt and click "Finish."
  • This will bring up a listing of your SIG's posted announcements. Click on "My SIG's Page" to view all postings in their entirety or to conclude the registration process and begin browsing.
 
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Special Interest Group Newsletter  December 2005
 
   

Home Care SIG Officers
Coordinator (2005-2007)
Patricia Frank, RN, BSN, OCN®
4004 Bonsall Ave.
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
610-626-6307 (H)
pefrank@earthlink.net

Ex-Officio (2005-2006)
Mary Warner, RN, BSN, OCN®
Mercy Fitzgerald Hosp.
1500 Lansdowne Ave.
Darby, PA 19023-1200
610-237-4034 (O)
610-237-4925 (fax)
warnerrn@msn.com

 		  Editor (2005-2007)
Dr. Marilyn Stoner
447 Sherie Cr.
Beaumont, CA 92223-1543
909-856-8166 (H)
909-769-4929 (fax)
marilynstoner@verizon.net

ONS Publishing Division Staff
Amy Nicoletti, BA
Copy Editor
412-859-6328
anicoletti@ons.org

Know someone who would like to receive a print copy of this newsletter?
To print a copy of this newsletter from your home or office computer, click here or on the printer icon located on the SIG Newsletter front page. Print copies of each online SIG newsletter also are available through the ONS National Office. To have a copy mailed to you or another SIG member, contact Membership/Leadership Administrative Assistant Carol DeMarco at cdemarco@ons.org or 866-257-4ONS, ext. 6230.

To view past newsletters click here.

 

ONS Membership/Leadership Team Contact Information

Angie Stengel, Director of Membership/Leadership
astengel@ons.org
412-859-6244

Diane Scheuring, Manager of Member Services
dscheuring@ons.org
412-859-6256

Carol DeMarco, Membership/Leadership Administrative Assistant
cdemarco@ons.org
412-859-6230

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) does not assume responsibility for the opinions expressed and information provided by authors or by Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Acceptance of advertising or corporate support does not indicate or imply endorsement of the company or its products by ONS or the SIG. Web sites listed in the SIG newsletters are provided for information only. Hosts are responsible for their own content and availability.

Oncology Nursing Society
125 Enterprise Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214
866-257-4ONS
412-859-6100
www.ons.org

 
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