British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
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Chemotherapy is increasingly being administered as a treatment for cancer and with it are a number of possible side effects. One, which has a negative impact on a patient's quality of life and their self-esteem, is that of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). ⋯ This article explores the issue of CIA from the patient's perspective and scalp cooling as a preventative measure, along with a review of the evidence around the risk associated with developing scalp metastases following scalp cooling. It also discusses why scalp cooling should be available for both male and female patients; along with the potential impact scalp cooling may have on clinical areas delivering chemotherapy.
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Protecting the perineum from faecal enzymes and preventing faeces from spreading to wounds has been a major challenge for nurses and doctors. Clinicians whose patients are at risk of faecal contamination of wounds have used various methods and many non-standard devices have been trialled, including: large French urinary catheters; rigid rectal catheters; faecal collection bags; mushroom-tipped catheters; nasopharyngeal airway; pharmacological and dietary interventions; incontinence pads; and barrier creams. ⋯ The purpose of this paper is to consider the use of purpose-designed faecal or bowel-management systems-the ConvaTec Flexi-Seal® FMS and Hollister InstaFlo® and ActiFlo® bowel management systems (BMS)-available in Australia at the time of writing. Overall, the authors believe that such purpose-designed systems are more efficient and cost-effective than other ad hoc measures.