Abstract CN69
Background
The use of ICI has revolutionized cancer treatment. However these medications are associated with significant and potentially debilitating immune-related AE or even life threathing. It is important for the nurse team to recognize and manage toxicities early in order to limit their worsening and severe toxicity and to enhance the patient’s QoL.
Methods
Describe the nurses’ critical need and role for appropriately engage with, educated, assess and manage lung cancer patients under IO at the Portuguese Cancer Institute in Lisbon. Identify health gains from implementing a follow up nursing consultation. Observational, longitudinal, prospective and exploratory study from 1/11/2019 to 31/12/2020. Inclusion/exclusion criteria have resulted in following 64 patients.
Results
43 patients had absolutely no AE and 21 had AE. Based on the analysis of symptomatology the following steps were taken. 21 guided to the Pneumologist; 7 guided to the ER of which 1 resulted in long-term patient admission (confirmed unacceptable lung toxicity) and 1 other suggested admission was refused by the patient (temporary lung toxicity); 28 patients in need of Counseling: analgesic adjustments, cough teaching, nutrition, effort management, breathing optimization, energy conservation; 10 New Calls the next day; 50 Visits to the ER avoided; 93.7% of the phone consultations were successful; Follow-up adherence rate of 98.4% and recommendations of 87% were obtained; 100% satisfaction was achieved with the nursing care provided; Patients reinforced the importance of the consultation as if it did not exist 28% would have to wait for the next medical appointment or go to ER (72%)
Conclusions
The are benefits and advantages of the implementation of the nursing consultation follow-up for IO patients. Nurse plays a key role as Educator as well as Care Implementer, Counselor and Consultant. The main purpose is cutting back on hospital trips, early identification of AE, management and control of symptoms, one’s empowerment so that they can avoid complications and continuing adherence to the therapeutic regime. Reduce patients’ anxiety, clear doubts at the right time and provide safety to the patient-family duo in order to enable them to manage the problems from home are some other objectives sought.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.