of an oncology emergency can save lives!
A special thanks to Cathy Pippin of GI - Surgery for sharing this excellent article and helping to formulate the questions.
Please send your completed answers to: melissa.luebbe@ctca-hope.com, answers must be at least two complete sentences - no one word responses please! To receive full credit you must also share your discussion answer on the blog site.
Questions:
- List three conditions that are considered to be "classic" oncology emergencies, and please give a brief description of each.
- How would you assess a patient you suspect has a spinal cord compression? If your patient was positive for a spinal cord compression, what treatment would be given immediately?
Discussion Question for the Blog: Do you think it would be important to include the recognition of Oncology Emergencies in our annual competencies or CBL's?
No I do not feel oncologic emergencies should be part of annual performance competencies. I think of competencies as specific, measurable skill sets. Oncologic emergencies require a knowledge that is demonstrated in the quality care we provide each and every oncology patient. The article summarizes well “the subtle signs of oncologic emergencies are part of what makes oncology nursing difficult”. It is a working knowledge and constant thought process required in our roles.
ReplyDeleteI do feel that our annual competencies should include these oncology emergencies due to the fact that we are specialized hospital. The direct inpatient care nurses should be made aware of these subtle signs due to the fact that they are caused by metastatic cancer so we can catch it at the beginning and not before it's to late. Opening nurses eyes open on what to look for is never a bad thing.
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ReplyDeleteDiscussion Question for the Blog: Do you think it would be important to include the recognition of Oncology Emergencies in our annual competencies or CBL's? Absolutely. This would give a reminder of what side effects to look for in our patients especially because these oncologic emergencies discussed in the article occur infrequently. As an annual CBL or competency, it would stay fresh in our minds to enable improved recognition of patient's subtle symptoms to a serious acute condition.
There is no wrong answer to the discussion question. I agree that an annual competency probably is not the best venue for learning, however, an inservice which highlights Oncology Emergency recognition and intervention would be interesting.....especially when nurses are willing to recount and share their own experiences with others. It is so true that our ability to distinguish changes in a patient assessment is key to identifying a potential problem which will lead to treatment of the underlying cause.
ReplyDeleteI remember recently caring for a patient who had sudden onset of confusion. When reviewing diagnostics, it was noted that she was dangerously hyponatremic with elevated urine osmolality. She was admitted to the floor with diagnosis of possible SIADH (syndrome inappropriate antidiuretic hormone) which is a metobolic emergency. There are many possible causes for SIADH: head injury, cancer, drugs,infections etc.
Recognizing Oncological Emergencies is extremely important in our roles as nurses in our specialized care setting. Our patients are relying upon us to provide expertise in cancer care and this is where critical thinking skills come in. I feel that a brief once a year competency is inadequate and that something monthly would be more beneficial (ie: monthly case studies/reviews).
ReplyDeleteOncology emergencies are so important to understand and recognize within the oncology setting. Since we do not see oncology emergencies with frequency, I do agree with a refresher on onc emergencies. Possibly rotate 3-4 topics every year with the competency fair or online, do not repeat same topics year after year.
ReplyDeleteNancy C- As oncology nurses, we need to be aware on oncologic emergencies and how to assess and treat them. As some of the initial symptoms can be subtle it is important to be able to recognize and assess them in a timely manner for best patient outcome. I think it is important to have classes that maximize our potential in this area at frequent intervals,but not necessarily as annual competencies. The more knowledge we have , the more equipped we will be. I also feel there is no right or wrong opinion in this subject, and there are always opportunities to increase one's knowledge and competency in this arena.
ReplyDeleteTerry Watt
ReplyDeleteI agree with others responses on the question "Do you think it would be important to include the recognition of Oncology Emergencies in our annual competencies or CBL's?" I especially like the idea of an inservice on the different Oncologic emergencies, and Interventions. Our own nurses willling to recount and share their own experiences with these situations would also be helpful and interesting.
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ReplyDeleteI believe including recognition of oncology emergencies in our annual competencies and/or CBLs would prove extremely beneficial and ultimately achieve the greatest outcomes for patients. In an outpatient setting,we are often times the patients first point of nursing contact. Therefore, recognizing the subtle changes when presenting in clinic for a follow-up with the medical oncologist, port access, and/or handling concerns, as a care manager or nurse naviagater via phone or face-to face interaction is extremely important. Patients expect answeres when questions arise. They come us, sometimes, refusing to bring such concers to their local PCP because we offer such specialized care and consider us experts in the field
ReplyDeleteEach nurse is responsible for lifelong learning in order to continually improve, increase, and maintain our skills and competencies in meeting the needs of our clientele confronted with these issues. In my opinion, I don't really feel the need to make this topic on oncologic emergencies be integrated in our annual competencies. However, it would be a good motivational incentive to each and everyone of us dedicated in providing quality care to initiate a frequent unit-based in-service education. Especially now that we are encouraging our nurses to achieve excellence in nursing practice and be involved in ACE Ladder program, this might be a great move for each nursing unit to initiate an educational team and everyone will have a role. This may benefit those who are looking for opportunities. I am thinking outside the box if you will.
ReplyDeleteI think that having Oncologic Emergenies as an annual CBL is a good idea. Having a refresher on this topic would not hurt anyone. The signs leading up to Oncologic Emergencies are usually so subtle. So, having a reminder of what to look for would benefit everyone.
ReplyDeleteI think incorporating the Oncologic emergencies in the annual CBL is a good idea since 99% of our patients are oncology.It will help our nurses to be more observant for any of the subtle changes in the patients conditions.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that including Oncological Emergencies into the annual competencies is a good idea. Even if we focused on just one a year, it has the potential of reaching the greatest number of nurses. I also liked the idea of having special inservices maybe once or twice a year where nurses and maybe MD's could discuss some of the cases we have experienced here and learn from each other.
ReplyDeleteIncluding oncologic emergencies into annual CBLs is a good idea. The more exposure we as nurses have to this (and any) information, the better. Even though it is only yearly, it still adds to our knowledge base. Often the best way to learn and remember new information is through case studies, so if a CBL were presented in a case study format, it may have more impact than an article or points on a slide to read through. I agree that an additional setting such as an inservice could be valuable as well.
ReplyDeleteIncluding oncologic emergencies in our annual CBL is a good idea even though its only once a year because it is a good reminder for us since we are a cancer center and keep us informed as well as our patients.
ReplyDeleteRecognition of oncological emergencies is an important aspect of nursing. annual competencies or cbls would be a good way to learn and refresh these recognition skills. It would support us, as nurses,to more readily identify and address oncology-related problems before they escalate into more serious conditions.
ReplyDeleteI do believe oncological emergencies should be reviewed in the annual competences. I do not think we should go into great detail with treatment, but nurses should be able to recognize a crisis and take the emergent steps needed to prevent worsening of the condition.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that oncological emergenices should be added into the annual reviews at CTCA. The oncology emergencies are even covered for ONC testing. I believe that also along with the above reviewed yearly that tumor lysis syndrome should also be covered. Refresher articles and updates are always helpful. Tami Zwiefka
ReplyDeleteI do think we should include the oncological emergencies in our annual competences at ctca. I believe it is important to keep us as nurses informed, as well as having the knowledge to teach our patients about them.
ReplyDeleteI think recognizing oncological emergencies is very valuable. As a competency, it would need to be very basic, as not every nurse will be using the detailed information. In our specialty, just recognizing an emergent situation can improve patient outcomes.
ReplyDeleteBLOG QUESTION :
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good idea and would be important/beneficial to all nursing staff to include the recognition of Oncologic Emergencies in our annual compentencies/ CBLS. The importance in knowing, and having some insight, of what serious emergency could happen with the patients we take care of, and having the knowledge to know what to do, would be something I would want to be aware of.
I think its a great idea to include oncologic emergencies to our annual competencies. All nurses can use refresher courses in conditions especially emergent conditions that can affect patients quickly and can improve the overall acute and chronic outcome of the patients.
ReplyDeleteI believe that including Oncology Emergencies in our annual competencis or CBL's would be valuable. Just as the article reminded of us of these emergencies, symptoms and treatments, annual requirements would keep us refreshed and improve our assessments. Our patients would benefit from this.
ReplyDeleteOk, hopefully the 3rd time is a charm. I posted twice already but it will not show up...
ReplyDeleteI believe that having this as a yearly review as a CBL would be very beneficial. After reading this article it reminded me of things that I have forgotten since school. And these are things we deal with all the time on the floor. If we had a yearly review I think it would be a good thing because it might help us to catch the signs in our patients early before they become HUGE problems for them.
Great blogs.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are it would be beneficial to review oncological emergencies with our annual CBL’s although I must agree there is no wrong way to learn. I find it difficult to attend in-services that are held during working hours due to my patient load. I think we all agree the information is vital to our practice of oncology nursing, now all we need to do is find a way to disseminate the information to benefit all.
I feel that having oncology emergencies included in our CBLs is a great idea not only for nurses but for any staff dealing with patients with cancer. This would be great knowledge for all staff but more so for the nursing staff who works so closely with our patients. Many of our new nurses who don't have oncology background would really benefit by having this as a CBL.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think it is a good idea to put this information into the competencies because we are rushing through this process. We don’t have the time to spend reading and testing to retain the information if it is not clearly understood. It would be better to put this information in the CBL’s because the information can be retained as we read and retake the test in our own time.
ReplyDeletei think that including recognition of oncology emergencies is a good idea in our CBL's to do in center for learning as we have more time to read and answer rather than in annual competencies in which we are always rushing to finish. As oncology nurses, we belong to a unique club that gives special care to our oncology patients. we should really be on our toes at all times. If we are well informed of signs and symptoms, we can easily detect the oncologic emrgencies when presented to us by our patients. I agree with Tami Zwiefka that we should include tumor lysis syndrome as one of the topics because in SCTU that's one of the oncologic emergencies that we always watch due to high dose we give our patients.
ReplyDeleteAdding oncology emergencies to our annual competencies or CBL's would be a great idea. Even if it is just posters up in the room where we are completing our competencies. CBL's that ask "what would you do" in a certain circumstance would be beneficial to make sure we are challenged to think critically to best care for our patients.
ReplyDeleteI do think it is important to include some sort of CBL or competency into nursing annual competenices. It is important for all of us to be aware of what the potential oncologic emergencies are so we can catch them early and intervene. We need to be aware of what signs and symptoms to look for and I think an annual comptetency will be beneficial in making sure we are all informed.
ReplyDeleteHaving oncology emergencies in our comptenices would be great. We are the eyes and ears. If you have never seen, or heard of these emergencies how could you watch and listen to the patients for the signs and symptoms. We as nurses are the ones that give our patients quality competent continuity of care
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to include oncology emergencies in CBL's and not annual competencies because CBL's are more thorough and annual competencies are fast paced. I think every nurse taking care of cancer patients should be able to recognize these symptoms.
ReplyDeleteI think that it would be important to include the recognition of Oncology Emergencies in our annual competencies because knowledge is power. The more people who are able to recognize the symptoms of these emergencies early enough could save a patient’s life just by picking up on what could be side effects of chemo.
ReplyDeleteWe are a cancer center and that alone is a reason why we should include Oncology Emergencies as part of our nursing annual competencies. Nursing Staff needs to be knowledgable on how to recognize, intervene and manage symptoms. Being in the infusion center, I do not have many opportunities to take care of patient's with such emergenices and having an annual review of each would be ideal.
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