Fourth Annual Chicago Supportive Oncology Conference

Implementing a multisymptom chemotherapy risk assessment tool in two community oncology practices

Charlotte Hwa, AB,1 Angela Ricci,1 Cathy Fortenbaugh, RN, MSN, AOCN®,2 Jill Fallon, RN, MSN, OCN®, CRNI, CHPN,3 Robin Johnston, MSN-V, AOCNP,3 and Nancy Leahy, RN, MSN, CRNP, AOCN®4

1 Pennsylvania Oncology Hematology Associates, Philadelphia, PA; 2 Capital Health System, Trenton, NJ; 3 Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology Associates, Norwich, CT; and 4 Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA

Chemotherapy patients are at high risk for developing symptoms that can delay or preclude treatment, affect quality of life, and even lead to life-endangering events. The AIM Higher risk assessment tool helps clinicians identify individual patient risks and develop strategies to manage or eliminate chemotherapy-related symptoms before and during treatment. This article discusses using the AIM Higher process for prechemotherapy risk assessment and describes how it can improve patient care. The implementation of the tool in two community oncology practices is discussed.

Commun Oncol 2007;4:404–409   print e-mail full text 317 kb