Experiences and preferences of truth-telling in families of children with cancer: A phenomenological study.

Objective: The delivery of bad news is an unpleasant but necessary medical procedure. However, few studies have addressed the experiences and preferences of the families of school-aged children with cancer when they are informed of the children's condition. This study aimed to explore families of school-age children with cancer for their preferences and experiences of truth-telling. Methods: This descriptive phenomenological qualitative research was conducted using focus group interviews and semistructured interview guidelines were adopted for in-depth interviews. Fifteen families participated in the study. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's analysis. Data were collected from August 2019 to May 2020. Results: The study identified two major themes: "caught in a dilemma" and "kind and comprehensive team support." The first major theme focused on families' experiences with cancer truth-telling. Three sub-themes emerged: (1) cultural aspects of cancer disclosure, (2) decision-making regarding informing pediatric patients about their illness, and (3) content of disclosure after weighing the pros and cons. The second major theme, which revealed families' preferences for delivering bad news, was classified into three sub-themes: (1) have integrity, (2) be realistic, and (3) be supportive. Conclusions: This study underscores the dilemma encountered by the families of children with cancer after disclosure and their inclination toward receiving comprehensive information and continuous support. Health care personnel must improve their truth-telling ability in order to better address the needs of such families and to provide continuous support throughout the truth-telling process.

[Improving the Storage Integrity of Electroencephalography (EEG) Recordings in the Pediatric Ward].

BACKGROUND & PROBLEMS: A total of 20 cases of children with epilepsy implemented electroencephalography (EEG) recording examinations in our ward between January 1st and March 10th, 2016. Fifteen (75%) of the recordings were incompletely stored, indicating that the EEG recordings storage integrity in our unit was 25%. Incomplete storage of these recordings results in prolonged hospital stays and negatively affects the ability of doctors to provide accurate diagnoses. PURPOSE: This project was developed to increase the EEG recording storage integrity for epileptic children to 100%. RESOLUTIONS: Improvement plans included reinforcing related promotions, formulating a standard flowchart for EEG recording education, making "warm bear signs", designing simple cartoon health-education flashcards, and providing in-service education. RESULTS: The EEG recording storage integrity for epileptic children in our ward rose to 100% after implementation of the resolution measures, which achieved our purpose. CONCLUSIONS: We want to share this experience to improve the storage integrity of EEG recordings at other hospitals and clinics. The greatest benefit of this project was that the family members of children with epilepsy perceived more strongly the effort and care of the nursing staffs during examinations, which reduces the costs of healthcare.

[Improving nursing staff accuracy in administering chemotherapy].

BACKGROUND: As most anticancer drugs are cytotoxic, their safe and error-free application is important. We analyzed data from the hematology-oncology ward chemotherapy checklist dated January 13th through February 3rd, 2007 and found accuracy rates for chemotherapy drug usage as low as 68.4%. Possible causes identified for this poor result include incomplete chemotherapy standards protocols, lack of chemotherapy quality control, and insufficient chemotherapy knowledge amongst nursing staff. PURPOSE: This project aimed to improve the accuracy of nursing staff in administering chemotherapy and to raise nursing staff knowledge regarding chemotherapy. RESOLUTION: Our strategies for improvement included completing a chemotherapy standards protocol, establishing a chemotherapy quality-control monitoring system, augmenting chemotherapy training and adding appropriate equipment and staff reminders. RESULT: After strategies were implemented, accuracy in chemotherapy administration rose to 96.7%. Related knowledge amongst nursing staff also improved from an initial 77.5% to 89.2%. CONCLUSION: Implementing the recommended measures achieved a significant improvement in the accuracy and quality of chemotherapy administered by nursing personnel.

[An experience providing terminal care based on Watson's theory to a cancer patient who lived alone].

This article presents the case of a terminal stage cancer patient who lived alone and had a detached relationship with his family, and negative behaviors such as: depression, passivity, silence, refusal of treatment, and inability to trust others because of lack of family care during hospitalization. We cared for the patient with direct personal nursing care, using skillful physical evaluation, conversation and close observation from June 11, 2004, to July 11, 2004. Using Watson's theory, we successfully instilled trust in the patient and developed a positive relationship with him. We took care of his needs in a timely manner, used physical care to make him feel comfortable, showed concern about what he was really feeling, provided him with medical information, and helped him to manage his physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual problems. We enabled the patient to face his disease, in the hope that he would experience the end of his life peacefully under our warm and professional nursing care.