Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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A questionnaire study was carried out among attendants at a community cancer center to determine the subjects' preferences and understanding of the meaning of do-not-resuscitate (DNR). Only 34% correctly understood the meaning of DNR, and 66% thought that DNR was administered only to prolong life without realizing that a DNR decision would result in not being resuscitated even if the cause of the sudden death was potentially reversible. We then determined the subjects' preferences if they had developed a treatment complication needing resuscitation and be put on the ventilator machine temporarily. ⋯ The adjusted odds for the correct understanding of DNR were less for respondents who preferred resuscitation. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was 0.58 (CI: 0.35-0.93) (p=0.02) after adjusting for age and 0.53 (CI: 0.32-0.86) (p=0.01) after adjusting for both age and treatment group. These results suggest that physicians should be open to the possibility that patients may not always understand what DNR means, and they may be placed on DNR by mistake.
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Support Care Cancer · Jul 2006
Comparative StudyCauses of fever in cancer patients (prospective study over 477 episodes).
The aim of this study was to determine the causes of fever among cancer patients. ⋯ Fever in cancer patients remains a challenge, and the differentiation between infectious and non-infectious causes at onset of fever is very difficult. Despite all the prophylactic measures, infection is still the principal cause. However, the infection-related mortality is low either in neutropenic or non-neutropenic patients.
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Support Care Cancer · Jul 2006
Utilising handheld computers to monitor and support patients receiving chemotherapy: results of a UK-based feasibility study.
Recent changes in cancer service provision mean that many patients spend a limited time in hospital and therefore experience and must cope with and manage treatment-related side effects at home. Information technology can provide innovative solutions in promoting patient care through information provision, enhancing communication, monitoring treatment-related side effects and promoting self-care. ⋯ This project suggests that a handheld-computer-based symptom management tool is feasible and acceptable to both patients and health professionals in complementing the care of patients receiving chemotherapy.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2006
ReviewThe role of basic oral care and good clinical practice principles in the management of oral mucositis.
The Basic Oral Care Group is one of eight subcommittees functioning within the Mucositis Study Group Guidelines Panel of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and International Society for Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO). The Basic Oral Care Group, comprised of the four authors of this paper, represented the disciplines of nursing (DBM, JJ), dentistry (MEPC), and pediatric dentistry (PW). This group reviewed research and clinical literature to update the original 2004 Mucositis Management Guidelines in the areas of basic oral care, bland rinses, protocols and education, and good clinical practices such as pain management, oral assessment, oral care, and dental care. ⋯ Although research remains scanty for components of basic oral care, bland rinses, protocols, and education, the original 2004 guidelines with the help of newer literature from 2000 to 2005 and expert consensus among the Guidelines Panel enabled the development of useful clinical practice guidelines for managing oral mucositis in patients receiving cancer treatment with radiation and/or chemotherapy.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2006
ReviewDeveloping evidence-based guidelines for management of alimentary mucositis: process and pitfalls.
It is important yet difficult to maintain currency in clinical oncology practice. The emergence of new diagnostic technologies and new paradigms for cancer treatment combine to produce a rapidly changing clinical approach to patients aided by the increasing use of multidisciplinary care teams and development of evidence-based protocols. ⋯ This paper discusses the process involved and the lessons learned that might help other groups planning to undertake a similar project.