Perianal Injury Prevention in Patients With Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Perianal injuries in adults with hematologic malignancies can result in sepsis or death. Patients on a 36-bed acute care oncology unit experienced increased perianal injuries from 2018 to 2021 based on a chart review, which revealed that 24 patients with leukemia, all of whom had received cytarabine, developed perianal injuries. OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether a nurse-led educational intervention would decrease perianal injuries. METHODS: A survey examined baseline nurse knowledge on perianal injuries. Nurses received a 10-minute in-service education session about perianal injuries, their predisposing factors, and prevention strategies followed by a survey to test their knowledge. Twenty nurses completed the pre- and postintervention surveys. FINDINGS: After the intervention, staff knowledge increased by 33%. One year postintervention, perianal injuries had decreased by more than 50%. Nurse and patient education are vital to decrease perianal injuries in patients with leukemia.

Cancer Health Literacy in Black Women With Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer have unique health literacy needs that affect health outcomes. In regard to breast cancer, Black women are more commonly diagnosed with high-grade breast tumors and have increased mortality rates. OBJECTIVES: This review examines the role of health literacy and discusses health disparities that affect cancer health literacy and health behaviors in Black women with breast cancer. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using CINAHL®, PubMed®, Ovid®, and Google Scholar™. A total of 12 studies were identified and included in the final review. FINDINGS: Women with breast cancer in racial minority groups are less likely to report knowing or answering questions correctly for multiple tumor characteristics, have a lower quality of life related to low health literacy levels, and are at an increased risk for inadequate health literacy because of socioeconomic inequities. Unmet health literacy needs can potentially to lead to poor self-management, poor medication adherence, increased hospitalizations, negative perceptions of health, and compromised quality of life.