By Dana Cunningham, Medical Oncology/Infusion Manager
PeaceHealth Medical Group, Cordata South

The last year has been filled with continued growth, planning, process changes and further integration of cancer services. Despite the distance between our physical locations, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology have implemented many improvements to better care for and support our patients. Some of our accomplishments include:

• Enhanced patient support:
  • Weekly chair-side Reiki therapy is available for Infusion patients by a certified volunteer.
  • Volunteers are now present Monday through Friday to greet and support chemotherapy patients.
  • Spiritual Care is offered by residents of the hospital’s Continuing Pastoral Education program.
• Community outreach activities
• Care Coordination: Infusion Nurses participate with Radiation Oncology in weekly interdisciplinary teleconferences.
• Professional Education: Chemotherapy/Biotherapy education was provided for all RNs who care for infusion patients in the Clinic, and on the hospital Procedural Care Unit or Medical Care Unit.
• Marketing: A new brochure was designed to unify promotion and awareness of PeaceHealth oncology services.
• Nursing Leadership: Clinical managers of the Infusion Center, Procedural Care Unit and Medical Care Unit initiated quarterly meetings to strategically develop consistent patient education materials, staff education opportunities and process improvements. In addition, the hospital Nurse Executive meets monthly with Clinic nurse leaders.

We continue to strive to deliver safe, evidence-based care by participating in several quality improvement projects.

• Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI)
• Continue to work with Pharmacy to improve our medication delivery process
• Continued work with chemotherapy orders and standardization of forms
• Continue to encourage communication between all parties, providers, staff
• Monitor timely availability of medical oncology consultations
• Support all nurses in attending the Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy/Biotherapy course as baseline education

The growth continues, the opportunities are abundant and the best is yet to come!

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