Advancing Antibiotic Stewardship Nursing Practice Through Standardized Education: A Pilot Study.

Background Antibiotic resistance is a leading global public health threat. Nurses are well positioned to optimize antibiotic use via targeted antibiotic stewardship (AS) nursing practices. However, standardized AS education for nurses is lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an online AS for nurses continuing education program on nurses' antibiotic resistance, antibiotic, and AS knowledge and their intent to integrate AS into their clinical practice. Method A quasi-experiential pretest-posttest design was used with a convenience sample of nurses at a U.S. academic medical center. Focus groups were conducted with those completing the program. Results Forty-seven of 100 eligible nurses completed the program and the pre- and posttest surveys. Participation resulted in statistically significant increases (p < .05) in antibiotic resistance, antibiotic, and AS knowledge, confidence, and perceptions related to the role of nursing in AS. Focus group participants had multiple recommendations for ways to integrate AS in daily nursing practice. Conclusion Completing a comprehensive AS nursing continuing education program could prove instrumental to motivating nurses to adopt AS nursing practices. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(9):417-423.].

Implementation of an Outpatient HD-MTX Initiative.

INTRODUCTION: Methotrexate (MTX) a folate antagonist is often given in high doses (≥500 mg/m2) to treat a variety of disease processes. While inpatient administration has been the norm, outpatient administration, has been shown to be safe, effective, and patient centered. Here in we describe development of an outpatient HDMTX protocol and our initial experience. METHODS: All patients were to receive their first cycle of HDMTX in the hospital to ensure they tolerate it well and also to use this time to assist in training for home administration. The outpatient protocol involved continuous IV sodium bicarbonate, along with oral leucovorin and acetazolamide. Patients were required to visit the infusion center daily for labs and methotrexate levels. Clear criteria for admission were developed in the case of delayed clearance or methotrexate toxicity. RESULTS: Two patients completed the safety run-in phase. Both patients tolerated treatment well. There were no associated toxicity. Methotrexate cleared within 3 days for all cycles. Both patients were able to follow the preadmission instructions for sodium bicarbonate and acetazolamide. The patients reported adequate teaching on the protocol and were able to maintain frequency of urine dipstick checks. CONCLUSION: We developed and implemented an outpatient protocol for high dose methotrexate. This study largely details the development of this protocol and its initial safety evaluation. More work needs to be done to assess its feasibility on a larger number of patients who receive more cycles in the outpatient setting.

Oncology nursing: educating advanced practice nurses to provide culturally competent care.

More than 37 million persons or 12.4% of the U.S. population are older than 65 years. These numbers are expected to reach 71.5 million (20% of the population) by 2030. This older population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse as the overall minority and culturally diverse populations increase. Although the incidence and mortality rates from several major cancers have declined due to advances in cancer care, these advances have lagged among the underserved and more vulnerable racially and culturally diverse populations. Moreover, the disparity between the gender and the racial mix of nurses and the overall population continues to widen. Thus, a growing need for professional nurses and advanced practice nurses with formal educational preparation in all areas of oncology nursing exists. This article (a) highlights significant cancer disparities among diverse populations, (b) describes how cultural belief systems influence cancer care and decision making, and (c) explicates the need to prepare advanced practice nurses for careers that include cancer care of diverse and vulnerable populations through formal oncology educational programs. The "Top 10" reasons for becoming an advanced practice nurse specializing in the oncologic care of patients from diverse and underserved populations are presented.

Facing forward: meeting the rehabilitation needs of cancer survivors.

Decreased physical functioning, either transient or enduring, is encountered by many individuals at various points in the cancer trajectory. Oncology nurses are well positioned to promote functional recovery, as they have intensive contact with cancer patients in multiple settings and throughout all phases of the disease continuum. This article reviews effective screening tools that nurses can use to identify the rehabilitation needs of individual patients and initiate appropriate interventions or referrals for additional rehabilitation services. It also outlines realistic rehabilitation protocols that can help oncology nurses to reduce and prevent impairments that may occur during cancer and its treatment. As will be discussed, patients' functional performance can also be directly improved by enhanced incorporation of rehabilitation principles into oncology nursing practice.