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Lash R, Bourenane S, Opsahl A. Evaluating the Oncology-Related Education Needs of Emergency Nurses. J Emerg Nurs 2024; 50:403-412. [PMID: 38300204 DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2023.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment for patients with cancer in the emergency department ranges from treating life-threatening emergencies to symptom management or issues unrelated to their cancer, but for which cancer and its treatment may be complicating factors. Nurses are expected to manage the care of this population and be aware of risk factors for complications that may be unique to cancer patients. To date, education for emergency nurses regarding oncologic emergencies and the care for patients with cancer has been limited. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional needs assessment to establish emergency nurses' educational needs (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) related to the care of patients with cancer and to evaluate if there are different educational needs for emergency nurses associated with the care of the cancer patient by practice setting type. RESULTS Of 237 nurses surveyed, only 28% of nurse respondents indicated receiving any cancer-specific education or training. Overall, scores on a knowledge assessment were relatively low (mean 53%; range 9.5-85.7%; SD 13%). Nurses reported variable confidence and skills, with the weakest areas being in the triage of complications and oncologic emergencies, assessment of complications related to cancer treatment, and end-of-life conversations. Nearly all of the respondents (97%) indicated a need for oncologic education for emergency nurses with moderate-high priority in relation to other educational needs. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that emergency nurses need a stronger foundation of the knowledge and skills required to care for patients with cancer. Results from this study can inform future curriculum development efforts.
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Gri N, Longhitano Y, Zanza C, Monticone V, Fuschi D, Piccioni A, Bellou A, Esposito C, Ceresa IF, Savioli G. Acute Oncologic Complications: Clinical-Therapeutic Management in Critical Care and Emergency Departments. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:7315-7334. [PMID: 37623012 PMCID: PMC10453099 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30080531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. It is now known that cancer is a major public health problem; on the other hand, it is less known, or rather, often underestimated, that a significant percentage of cancer patients will experience a cancer-related emergency. These conditions, depending on the severity, may require treatment in intensive care or in the emergency departments. In addition, it is not uncommon for a tumor pathology to manifest itself directly, in the first instance, with a related emergency. The emergency unit proves to be a fundamental and central unit in the management of cancer patients. Many cancer cases are diagnosed in the first instance as a result of symptoms that lead the patient's admittance into the emergency room. Materials and Methods. This narrative review aims to analyze the impact of acute oncological cases in the emergency setting and the role of the emergency physician in their management. A search was conducted over the period January 1981-April 2023 using the main scientific platforms, including PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Embase and Google scholar, and 156 papers were analyzed. Results. To probe into the main oncological emergencies and their management in increasingly overcrowded emergency departments, we analyzed the following acute pathologies: neurological emergencies, metabolic and endocrinological emergencies, vascular emergencies, malignant effusions, neutropenic fever and anemia. Discussion/Conclusions. Our analysis found that a redefinition of the emergency department connected with the treatment of oncology patients is necessary, considering not only the treatment of the oncological disease in the strict sense, but also the comorbidities, the oncological emergencies and the palliative care setting. The need to redesign an emergency department that is able to manage acute oncological cases and end of life appears clear, especially when this turns out to be related to severe effects that cannot be managed at home with integrated home care. In conclusion, a redefinition of the paradigm appears mandatory, such as the integration between the various specialists belonging to oncological medicine and the emergency department. Therefore, our work aims to provide what can be a handbook to detect, diagnose and treat oncological emergencies, hoping for patient management in a multidisciplinary perspective, which could also lead to the regular presence of an oncologist in the emergency room.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Gri
- Niguarda Cancer Center, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza dell’Ospedale Maggiore, 3, 20162 Milano, Italy
| | - Yaroslava Longhitano
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Christian Zanza
- Italian Society of Prehospital Emergency Medicine (SIS 118), 74121 Taranto, Italy
| | - Valentina Monticone
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Damiano Fuschi
- Department of Italian and Supranational Public Law, School of Law, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Piccioni
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Polyclinic Agostino Gemelli/IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Abdelouahab Bellou
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Institute of Sciences in Emergency Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ciro Esposito
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, ICS Maugeri, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Savioli
- Emergency Department, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- PhD School in Experimental Medicine, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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