Assessment of Fever Advisory Cards (FACs) as an Initiative to Improve Febrile Neutropenia Management in a Regional Cancer Center Emergency Department.

PURPOSE: We aimed to improve the time to antibiotics (TTA) for patients treated with chemotherapy who present to the emergency department (ED) with febrile neutropenia (FN) by using standardized fever advisory cards (FACs). METHODS: Patients treated with chemotherapy who visited the ED at the Peel Regional Cancer Center in Ontario, Canada, with suspected FN were identified, before (April 2012 to March 2013) and after (October 2013 to March 2014) FAC implementation. The primary outcome of interest was TTA. Additional process measures included Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale score, time to physician assessment, and FAC compliance. Outcomes were analyzed with descriptive statistics and control charts to determine whether the change in primary measures were within statistical control over time. RESULTS: Between the pre-FAC cohort (n = 239) and post-FAC cohort (n = 69), TTA did not change significantly post-FACs (195 v 244 min, P = .09), with monthly averages demonstrating normal variation by statistical process control methodology. The introduction of FACs increased the percentage of patients with correctly assigned Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale scores (87% v 100%) but did not affect time to physician assessment. Compliance with FACs among patients was not ideal, with only 62.5% using them as intended. CONCLUSION: The distribution of FACs was associated with an improved incidence of correct FN triaging but did not demonstrate a meaningful improvement in the quality of FN management. This may be explained by FAC use among patients not being ideal. Next steps in the continued effort toward high-quality FN care include redesign of FACs, reinforcement of provider and patient education, and ED outreach.

Improving documentation of oral chemotherapy at a community cancer center.

PURPOSE: Safe administration of oral chemotherapy is a complex process that represents a potential threat to patient safety. Clear documentation of the plan of care for patients receiving oral chemotherapy can improve patient safety by ensuring complete health information is available to the health care team. METHODS: We undertook a rapid-cycle improvement project to improve documentation of oral chemotherapy by increasing the number of components of an oral chemotherapy care plan (as outlined by American Society of Clinical Oncology and Oncology Nursing Society) documented in the medical record before starting a new oral chemotherapy drug. Three improvement cycles were implemented, including: introduction of a standardized nursing flow sheet, use of computerized physician order entry for oral chemotherapy prescribing, and a review of computerized physician order entry to ensure all oral chemotherapy regimens were included. RESULTS: Our intervention resulted in a meaningful and sustained improvement in the number of components of oral chemotherapy care plans documented in the medical record, from a mean of 67% (eight of 12 components) to a mean of 92% (11 of 12). CONCLUSION: We are hopeful that this improvement project will enhance patient safety by improving communication within the health care team regarding the details of the chemotherapy care plan.