Chemo Processes

Question 1

What are some strategies to prevent medication errors?

Answer 1

1. limit chemo prescribing to specific providers
2. limit chemo administration to specific providers
3. multiple checkpoints with chemo orders
4. use prebuilt order entry pathways
5. don’t accept verbal orders
6. have rules for mistake prone notations

Question 2

What are the common chemo order mistakes?

Answer 2

1. abbreviations
2. brand name mix ups
3. dosing instructions
4. missing patient info

Question 3

What are the instructions for caregivers for oral chemo?

Answer 3

1. understanding how/when to take therapy
2. gloves/washing hands
3. separate adherence devices from other drugs
4. specific plan for when to contact provider

Question 4

Acronym for reviewing a chemo order

Answer 4

PRONTO

Person
Regimen
Organ function
Numbers
Toxicities
Order entry

Question 5

Person

Answer 5

1. verify pt with 2nd identifier
2. age, performance status
3. cancer type, stage, goal
4. biomarkers
5. comorbidities

Question 6

Formula for ANC

Answer 6

% segs + % bands x WBC

Question 7

BSA formula

Answer 7

square root of height (cm) x weight (kg)/3600 or square root of height (in) x weight (lbs)/3131