Eliminating Extravasation Events: A Multidisciplinary Approach

J Infus Nurs. 2015 Nov-Dec:38 Suppl 6:S43-50. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000144.

Abstract

Administration of chemotherapy agents can give rise to many safety issues. Extravasation of a vesicant agent causes tissue blistering and necrosis. This complication of chemotherapy administration causes additional pain and suffering in patients who are already suffering with a diagnosis of cancer. Nurses hold key responsibilities for educating patients about administration issues and following practice standards to minimize the risk of extravasation. Defining a path of shared responsibilities among team members is a critical step in assuring the safe administration of drugs classified as vesicants. This article describes a clinical practice change that is used at a large midwestern academic medical cancer center. This practice and policy change has resulted in a 90% reduction in the administration of vesicant agents peripherally, with no occurrence of extravasations in the first 6 months of implementation.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Catheterization, Peripheral / methods
  • Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training / methods
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / nursing
  • Patient Care Team / standards
  • Patient Education as Topic

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents