Date of this Version
2023
Document Type
DNP Project
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight diseases. It is used for the management of many conditions but is mainly utilized in cancer treatment. Immunotherapy has been shown to improve quality of life and increase survival rates in metastatic disease. A major limitation of immunotherapy are the adverse events (AE), or adverse effects, that may cause a delay in treatment, lead to hospitalization, or in extreme cases, mortality. In this study the terms adverse events and adverse effects will be used interchangeably.
DESIGN: Pre- and post-test survey design.
METHODS: Data was collected from a sample of 23 Infusion Center nurses following an education intervention on identification and management of immunotherapy adverse events, using the Oncology Nurse Immunotherapy Confidence Survey (ONICS) instrument modified for this QI project.
RESULTS: The pre- and post-test scores revealed a 39% increase in Infusion Centers nurses’ confidence regarding identification and management of immunotherapy adverse events shown. These findings were established as statically significant (p > 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: Novice nurses and experienced nurses new to the Oncology specialty would most benefit from this intervention. Department orientation policies can be reviewed and modified based on the data from this project to improve the quality of patient care.
Recommended Citation
Demming, Susan; Sherman, Deborah W.; and Dudkiewicz, Pamela, "An Educational Intervention for Infusion Center Nurses to Improve Their Confidence in Identification and Management of Immunotherapy Adverse Events, Based on Changes in Pre- and Post-test scores: A Quality Improvement Project" (2023). Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing Student Projects. 181.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cnhs-studentprojects/181