Quality Improvement

The Development of an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist Fellowship Program

Allison Ann de Villiers,(1) MSN, APRN-CNS, OCN®, ACNS-BC, Lisa Maree Blackburn,(1) MS, APRN-CNS, RN-BC, AOCNS®, Danette Birkhimer,(1) MS, APRN-CNS, AOCNS®, Lynne R. Brophy,(1) MSN, APRN-CNS, RN-BC, AOCN®, Jamie Tippett,(1) MS, RN, NEA-BC, Karen Meade,(1) MS, APRN-CNS, AGCNS-BC, CPAN®, OCN®, and Carlton G. Brown,(2) PhD, RN, AOCN®, NEA-BC, FAAN

New graduate clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) face many challenges when starting their new role. To address this, a CNS fellowship program was developed to mentor new CNSs during their first year of practice. This CNS fellowship program...

Long-Acting Somatostatin Analogue Safety Monitoring Protocol for Outpatients With Neuroendocrine Tumors

Jordan Gabrielsen,(1) PharmD, Gianna Girone,(1) PharmD, Bonita Bennett,(2) BSN, and Anna Jung,(2) PharmD, BCPS

Abstract Somatostatin analogues (SSAs) are widely used in the long-term treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and have a relatively favorable safety profile. However, SSAs are associated with specific side effects that are important...

Implementation of a Survivorship Care Plan Program in a Community-Based Oncology Clinic

Stephanie L. Soulia,(1) DNP, RN, ANP-BC, Elizabeth A. Duffy,(2) DNP, RN, CPNP, Kimberly A. Morley,(3) MD, and Ellen M. L. Smith,(2) PhD, APRN, AOCN®, FAAN

Abstract There is conflicting evidence from the small number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have assessed the benefit of survivorship care plans (SCPs) on improving patient outcomes. Yet, published quasi-experimental and de...

A Support Intervention for Family Caregivers of Advanced Cancer Patients

Betty Ferrell,(1) PhD, RN, MA, FAAN, FPCN, CHPN, Kate Kravits,(1) MA, RN, HNB-BS, LPC, NCC, ATR-BC, Tami Borneman,(1) RN, MSN, CNS, FPCN, Sumanta K. Pal,(1) MD, and Janet Lee,(2) EdM

Abstract Family caregivers are the primary providers of care. Education and support are needed to prepare them for the complex physical, psychological, social, and spiritual effects of cancer. This randomized clinical trial tested a pal...

The Integration of Survivorship Care Planning at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Elizabeth B. McGrath, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, AOCNP®, ACHPN, Anna Schaal, MSN, APRN, and Claire Pace, MSN, APRN

Abstract Research has demonstrated that cancer survivors who receive a survivorship care plan (SCP) have better coordinated follow-up care, higher overall satisfaction, and report significantly fewer posttreatment emotional concerns. Th...

Impact of a Replacement Algorithm for Vitamin D Deficiency in Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Sheila A. Kenny,(1) MSN, RN, ANP-BC, Karen Collum,(1) DNP, RN, OCN®, Catherine A. Featherstone,(1) MSN, RN, FNP-BC, Azeez Farooki,(1,2) MD, and Ann Jakubowski,(1,2) PhD, MD

Adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. After HSCT, exposure to sunlight is restricted, and patients may experience poor nutrition and malabsorption from HSCT-related side effects...