Colleen Peyerl

FDA Approves New Indication for Palbociclib

On February 19, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved palbociclib (Ibrance® capsules, Pfizer, Inc.) in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of women with hormone receptor- (HR-) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- (HER2-) negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy.

Using the I'M SAFE Method to Create a Culture of Safety

Clinical environments demonstrating a strong culture of safety have optimized communication and teamwork among front-line staff, physicians, and leadership. A safe work environment is one in which the physical health and well-being of all staff are considered prerequisite for safe patient care. Consider for a moment the ways your workplace supports healthy behaviors on the part of employees.

Deborah Struth

Fostering a Culture of Safety: Is Less Really More From the Patient Perspective?

There is currently a huge focus on patient safety. It's not just in the news and literature. It pervades the clinical environment. I'm currently spending my days between two major teaching hospitals and an outpatient cancer institute, all in Boston, MA. Some of the safety concerns I have encountered just in the past week include

The Case of the Cancer Treatment Confusion

Erin is a 34-year-old woman who is newly diagnosed with stage IIIA, ER+, PR+, HER2–, BRCA– breast cancer. She has a 5 cm tumor and one positive lymph node. She's a single mom, with one five-year-old child. She says that she just wants to have a mastectomy, probably a double mastectomy, and “have it over with and start chemo.” She says she's tired of waiting and wondering what will happen.

Combination Vaccine and Docetaxel May Improve Survival for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Results from an open-label, phase II, randomized clinical trial comparing docetaxel alone or in combination with PANVAC, a viral-vector cancer vaccine, in patients with metastatic breast cancer suggest that the vaccine may have some clinical benefit.

What You Wear Matters When It Comes to Safety

“Hey, you didn’t dress up for me today. Where’s your pretty blue dress?”

At first I wasn’t sure what the patient in the chemotherapy chair was talking about. After a moment, I realized the patient was referring to the blue safety gowns we wear. I heard the infusion nurse respond as she removed the chemotherapy from the hazard bag, “Oh yeah, I’m kind of in a hurry today.”

While the patient could possibly benefit from the chemotherapy, for the nurse that same drug posed a serious hazard.

ACOS Commission on Cancer Issues 2016 Program Standards to Clarify Nursing Training, Patient Care Continuum

The American College of Surgeons (ACOS) recently released clarifications for program standards related to oncology nurse training and patient-centered care in the Cancer Program Standards: Ensuring Patient-Centered Care (2016 Edition) Manual.

ONS Advocates for Maryland Right to Try Legislation

Late last year, I had the honor to represent ONS and meet with Maryland State Senator Bryan Simonaire (R-MD) to discuss his bill that seeks to provider greater access to experimental treatments for patients, particularly those with cancer, who otherwise might not have such options. It was an advocacy experience that, regardless of the bill’s passage, reminded me of how important it is for oncology nurses to do what we do best: educate others on planned treatments and symptom management.

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