[Influence of the Site of Port Insertion on the Flow Velocity of 5-FU Continuous Intravenous Injection by Using a Compression-Type Portable Continuous Infuser for Colorectal Cancer Patients].

For the continuous intravenous injection off luorouracil (5-FU) over 46 hours in a chemotherapeutic regimen for colorectal cancer, a compression-type portable continuous infuser is used. However, there is an error in the flow velocity. Errors in the dose or time of administration completion may influence the efficacy and safety of 5-FU. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the error in the flow velocity. The type of diluent, air temperature, and concentration of 5-FU are reportedly factors influencing the flow velocity. However, no study has examined the influence of the site of port insertion. In this study, we investigated factors associated with the flow velocity of 5-FU continuously and intravenously injected by using an infuser in patients with colorectal cancer, among whom the site of port insertion differed. The results showed that the site of port insertion influenced the flow velocity during the continuous intravenous injection of 5-FU using an infuser. It is important to reduce the error in the flow velocity by considering the site of port insertion in addition to the concentration of 5-FU and the air temperature.

[Effectiveness of intervention by the infection control team for cancer patients with a positive blood culture].

Cancer patients at a high risk of acquiring infectious diseases should be maintained in a facility where good infection control practices are followed. At our hospital, the infection control team(ICT)provides expertise, education, and support to the staff, helping them maintain proper standards, thereby minimizing the risks of infection. The ICT(established in 2004)has implemented infection control programs by employing an appropriate number of staff members after the revision of medical treatment fees in 2011. Our intervention program includes 2 general policies, namely, ordering and collection of blood cultures and intervention for the medical care of patients with positive blood cultures. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of our intervention for cancer patients with a positive blood culture. During the surveillance period(April 2011 to July 2012), 42 positive cases were determined to be infectious. ICT intervention was required in 37 cases. Our suggestions were accepted in 92%(34/37)of the cases, and improved outcome was estimated in 65%(22/34)of the cases. The results of our study contribute to the scientific bases on which routine clinical practices could be promoted in the future.

[Comparison of chemotherapy side effects between elderly and young subjects].

UNLABELLED: With the aging of society, the number of elderly patients receiving chemotherapy has increased. Since organ function, particularly the liver and kidney function, is known to decrease with age, there is concern that severe side effects may develop in the elderly because of chemotherapy. It is a considerable challenge to establish safe, effective chemotherapy that enables elderly patients to maintain a favorable QOL. Therefore, we conducted a survey of the current status of chemotherapy side effects. METHODS: The subjects were patients enrolled in physician-led clinical trials between April 2006 and December 2010. A survey of the chemotherapy regimens used, PS, and, side effects(CTC-AE v3.0)was conducted to examine differences in the incidence and Grade of side effects between elderly and younger subjects(aged 65 years or older, and younger than 65 years, respectively). The subjects consisted of9 3 elderly and younger people, with mean ages of 70 and 59. 5 years, respectively. Myelosuppression of Grade 3, or more severe side effects in the elderly and younger subjects, was 22. 5% and 16. 3%, respectively. The incidence of side effects was slightly higher in the elderly than in the younger subjects. In general clinical practice, side effects are controlled by selecting regimens and adjusting doses for the elderly. However, in clinical trials in which the dosage is predetermined regardless of age, the elderly are more prone to develop side effects than young people. We compare and present the current status regarding the side effects, effectiveness, and contents of chemotherapy regimens.