For Immediate Release
May 2, 2009

BUFFALO, NY – Roswell Park Cancer Institute nurses developed an accessible visual - tool an algorithm based on nursing experience and roadmaps - to enhance the delivery of chemotherapy.

Darryl Somayaji, MSN, RN, CCRC, Department of Nursing at RPCI, will discuss “Oncology Nurses Transforming Care: Rapid Response Steps to Success by Using a Chemotherapy Administration Process Improvement Algorithm,” at the Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society, April 30 – May 3 in San Antonio, TX.

Chemotherapy orders are multifaceted, and the process of administration can be complicated for both novice and experienced oncology nurses. The creation of a “Rapid Response Steps to Success” algorithm enhances the existing roadmap process and guides the oncology nurse through the administration of chemotherapy. The algorithm promotes patient medication safety, allows for the inclusion of care strategies from the nursing staff at the bedside, and provides a useful tool for all nurses at every level of oncology experience as they navigate through either a paper or paperless chemotherapy order system.

“These innovative roadmaps help to standardize approaches to the delivery of chemotherapy, reduce medication errors and assist in the anticipation and management of adverse events that can be associated with chemotherapy. This process also encourages nursing communication so treatment delivery is tailored to the individual needs of the patient, which ultimately maximizes therapeutic benefits,” said Somayaji.

Nurse collaborators on this Roswell Park paper were Mary Ann Long, MS, RN, OCN; Katie Newell, RN, BSN; Maeghan Valint, RN, BSN; Regina Barth, RN; and Jeanette Jackson-Rose, RN.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center. The Institute was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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