A case review of a patient experience of photopheresis using a peripherally inserted central catheter.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a cell based immunomodulatory therapy in which the patient is attached intravenously to a cell separating machine. During ECP a patient's blood is collected via either a central venous access device (CVAD) or a peripherally inserted 16G arterial venous fistula needle in either one or both antecubital fossa. However, patients presenting for ECP with GVHD repeatedly present a challenge to the ECP team due to poor venous access resulting from previous therapies and skin changes. The use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) offers an alternative route of vascular access for this cohort of patients. Here we present a case report of a patient successfully treated with ECP following the insertion of a PICC line.

Adrenal insufficiency of patients with graft versus host disease treated with extracorporeal photopheresis.

Graft versus host disease (GvHD) is a serious and common complication of allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplant. Corticosteroids are considered the standard care for initial treatment of GvHD but a significant proportion of patients will need long-term steroid treatment for control of GvHD. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a cell-based immunomodulatory therapy that is an accepted second line treatment in patients with steroid refractory, dependent or intolerant GvHD and has shown efficacy in allowing steroid dose reduction and discontinuation in this cohort of patients. Adrenal cortical insufficiency is defined by the inability of the adrenal cortex to produce sufficient amounts of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids leading to a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. The most common cause of drug-induced adrenal insufficiency is the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by exogenous glucocorticoid doses ≥5 mg prednisolone equivalent for more than 4 weeks. The aim of the study was to ascertain the number of patients with GvHD receiving ECP that are affected by adrenocortical insufficiency.

Monitoring lung function in patients with chronic graft versus host disease: a pilot study.

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) following allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplant is considered the manifestation of chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) in the lung, and affects about 14% of patients with cGvHD, mainly in the first 2 years after transplant. Despite advances in assessment, diagnosis and treatment, the clinical prognosis remains poor for patients with pulmonary manifestations of cGvHD. A pilot study of 50 patients was devised to establish whether a relationship exists between forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) via pulmonary function test (PFT) and the equivalent peak expiratory flow (PEF) via peak flow handheld spirometry in cGvHD patients receiving extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). Only PEF observed within 2 days of PFT could be compared with data at month 3, 6, 9 and 12. This pilot study illustrated that monitoring via handheld peak flow readings has the potential to become an acceptable method of monitoring lung function longitudinally in cGvHD patients.

Implementation and evaluation of a pre-assessment telephone triage system in an outpatient photopheresis service.

The prompt assessment of patients as fit for photopheresis is imperative to ensure delivery of a safe and efficient service. Before January 2015 the photopheresis unit was reliant on patients contacting the department directly to cancel their appointment if they were unwell or were suffering from any pre-defined exclusion criteria. Methods to reduce the number of cancellations and patients arriving unwell were therefore examined. The authors combined aspects of patient pre-assessment with telephone triage to develop a system that could provide better care and improve the use of resources within the department. The pre-assessment telephone triage system successfully reduced cancellations and increased patient awareness of conditions that would prevent delivery of photopheresis treatment. Subsequently the quality improvement initiative established that the pre-assessment telephone triage system saved the photopheresis unit over £33 000 over a 12-month period.

The introduction and evaluation of a pressure ulcer risk assessment tool for photopheresis outpatients.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) patients are at high risk of compromised skin integrity, and of developing pressure ulcers, which may bleed and/or become infected. The Rotherham Outpatient Screening Tool (ROST) was adapted from the Waterlow score and the Malnutrition Universial Screening Tool (MUST) to suit patients attending an outpatient unit for photopheresis. A review of the screening tool highlighted patients at a higher risk of developing pressure damage during treatment and therefore the unit was able to reduce this risk by the provision of a pressure-relieving cushion (Repose).

Improving the service for patients receiving extracorporeal photopheresis using Lean principles.

The photopheresis unit where the authors work has seen an increased demand both locally and as an outreach service. A Lean assessment of the unit was undertaken to improve processing time and productivity, which in turn would improve the availability of treatment and improve patient care. The assessment indicated that there were excellent nursing standards and patient care; however, patient waiting times and treatment times were prolonged in comparison with other units. The unit reviewed the patient pathway and identified where delays occurred and consequently changed patient scheduling.