Congress Abstracts 2005

54

DEVELOPING AN EVIDENCED BASED TELEPHONE FOLLOW UP PROGRAM IN RADIATION ONCOLOGY. Karen Smink, RN, BSN, OCN^®, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC.

Oncology nurses recognize the need to aggressively monitor and manage treatment related toxicities to enable patient completion of their prescribed course of radiation therapy, as well as optimize patient and caregiver satisfaction. The nursing staff in the Radiation Therapy Department at Duke University use a primary care model, allowing each nurse to be closely involved with a patient from initial consultation and treatment planning, until completion of therapy. We recognized the need to monitor patient symptoms and provide support for management of those symptoms following completion of the treatment phase. This presentation will highlight results from a pilot study identifying common symptoms in patients following radiation therapy. Samples of standard symptom management protocols will be presented.

The purpose of this project was to identify and prioritize ongoing and new treatment related symptoms following completion of radiation therapy. We then developed triage protocols for symptom management utilizing Oncology Nursing Society standards and other oncology and ambulatory care literature.

Within two weeks of completion of therapy, fifty consecutive patients were called by their primary radiation therapy nurse who documented symptoms, number of attempts to reach the patient, and length of the call.

Based on the pilot data from the telephone calls, the five most prevalent side effects were chosen for development of nursing triage protocols. As an outcome measure following implementation of the triage protocols, a qualitative interview study is planned to assess patient satisfaction with the telephone interventions.

Developing a program to continue patient support following completion of radiation therapy will accomplish multiple goals, most importantly to enhance patient safety and comfort in a time period when they are at high risk for having treatment related side effects. Having standardized instructions for symptom management by telephone is consistent with licensure requirements and scope of care issues.