Incorporating assessment of patients on immunotherapy into an established nurse-led oncology clinic
Category: Treatment
The problem identified
At Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust we were seeing more patients on immunotherapy via the EAMS scheme and it was having an impact on the consultants clinics causing patients delays in being seen.
The intervention made to change the problem
In order for the lung CNS' to assess patients safely and provide standardised care we developed an electronic immunotherapy assessment tool. The lung CNS' liaised with other centres to see what assessment tools were currently being used and worked collaboratively with the consultant oncologist, chemotherapy matron and computer scientist department to produce our own version. This has been agreed by the chemotherapy group locally and is in the process of being used throughout Kent.
How it changed my practice
This has standardised our practice and ensured safe assessment of patients on immunotherapy. Patients are now seen in the already established nurse led oncology review clinics and the tool has been incorporated within their practice. The data is stored electronically so can be audited. An academic evening was held and was attended by lung CNS', chemotherapy nurses, consultants and pharmacists from around Kent and the tool is going to be used regionally.
References
Keynote Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Clatterbridge Hospital Guidelines