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The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted psychological well-being worldwide. Oncology health care professionals' (OHCPs') perceptions of psychological effects of COVID-19 among people in active cancer treatment were explored. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of OHCPs actively providing care were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using Atlas.ti v8 and thematic analysis. In total, 30 OHCPs participated. Most were registered nurses (70%), worked in outpatient setting (56.7%) and were in their current position 1–5 years (53.3%). Overarching themes are as follows: (a) cancer treatment disrupted due to patients' fear of exposure to COVID-19; (b) social distancing restrictions caused discontinued social support and supportive services that exacerbated psychological distress; (c) pandemic-related stressors led to overwhelmed coping skills; and (d) OHCPs played a vital role in providing emotional support and connecting patients with family/friends through technology. Behavioral health interventions should focus within the "new world of COVID-19" of reduced face-to-face support and increased online support for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncology nurse residents write legacy letters to future cohorts in the 11th month as a reflection on their transition year, focusing on lessons learned and advice gleaned. This article explores poetry as an alternative to legacy letters. The limerick writing assignment was well received. Legacy messages provided a deeper understanding of residents' experiences, subsequently guiding curriculum improvement. Changes included beginning a dialogue in the first month on the importance of self-care, handling emotions, and incorporating evidence-based, cognitive behavioral skillsbuilding. First-year nurse resident turnover rates in year 1 decreased from 14% (2019) to 5% (2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives: To assess equivalence of temperatures taken via temporal artery and oral methods in febrile inpatients with cancer. Design: Repeated measures equivalence design. Setting: 24-bed hematology-oncology unit and 36-bed blood and marrow transplantation unit at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, a National Cancer Institute- designated comprehensive cancer center in Tampa, Florida. Sample: Convenience sample of 58 febrile inpatients using 60 temperature measurements. Methods: Two instruments were used: Welch Allyn SureTemp® Plus 690 (oral) and Exergen TAT-5000 (temporal artery). Temperatures were measured closely following instrument instructions by three highly experienced nurses. Main Research Variables: Temperature readings from oral and temporal artery measurements. Findings: A two one-sided test (TOST) technique with a delta of 0.2°F was performed to assess equivalence of the oral and temporal artery measures. Within each team member, the oral and temporal artery measures were assessed using the TOST technique. The hypothesis of equivalence was rejected for all three team members. Conclusions: The use of the Exergen TAT-5000 for temperature measurement as a noninvasive alternate to the oral method for febrile adult patients in the hematology-oncology population was not supported. Implications for Nursing: The Exergen TAT-5000 is not a reliable instrument for detecting fevers in the hematology-oncology patient population because the temporal artery measures were not equivalent to oral measures, and considerable variation occurred for the three nurses. Alternative methods for accurate temperature collection need to be investigated, particularly for febrile, neutropenic patients who cannot tolerate the oral probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experienced oncology nurses use different troubleshooting techniques for clearing occluded central venous access devices (CVADs) with varying degrees of success. The purpose of this study was to explore troubleshooting techniques used for clearing occluded CVADs by experienced oncology RNs and identify the perceived effectiveness of each technique. An invitation for a web-based survey was sent to select RN members of the Oncology Nursing Society. All nurses (N = 224) reported asking patients to raise and/or move their arm. Most nurses asked patients to lie down, cough, and take deep breaths. Respondents considered instilling a thrombolytic agent to be the most effective technique. No associations were found between techniques and respondents' years in oncology nursing, work setting, certification, or academic degree. The findings contribute toknowledge about care of patients with occluded devices and will help formulate direction for additional investigation of CVADs. Establishing the appropriateness of practice-related troubleshooting techniques may eliminate unnecessary steps and save nursing time. Educating nurses on the topic will also help reduce techniques that are not expected to yield results or are contraindicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Duffy's Quality-Caring Model guides nursing practice at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, FL. No published studies using this model in oncology were found. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to determine patients' perceptions of nurse caring behaviors at the time of discharge after surgery. METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was used. Data were collected using Duffy's Caring Assessment Tool (CAT). Simple regression analyses were performed. FINDINGS: Spearman's correlation coefficients between the scores and age, length of stay, and number of nurses caring for the patients were not significant. No significant association was found between surgical site and CAT scores, nor between gender, race, and disposition posthospitalization. Appreciation of unique meanings and mutual problem solving showed need for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Height measurement is a key clinical component to measure body mass index and body surface area used for patient care, including calculating chemotherapy doses. Some patients cannot feasibly or safely stand for height measurement because of a number of diseases and disabilities. The literature is unclear regarding alternatives to standing height for patients unable to stand. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research study was to test equivalence of a number of measurements to find a reliable alternative to standing height for ambulatory oncology clinic patients who are unable to or cannot safely stand. METHODS: A repeated-measures design was used to measure the height of 60 volunteer adult participants using a convenience sample of 30 men and 30 women. Standing height was compared to self-reported height, recumbent length, arm span, half-arm span, demispan, and knee height measurements. FINDINGS: Results indicated that demispan was equivalent to standing height with a mean difference of -0.69. A practice change to use demispan in patients who cannot stand has been proposed and accepted at the authors' organization. The use of demispan was a feasible alternative to standing height in cost of supply and technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) use a central venous catheter (CVC); heparin is often employed to maintain patency but may increase the risk of complications. Research has not provided conclusive differences in efficacy and safety regarding heparin flushing versus normal saline flushing in CVC maintenance. Minimal research is specific to this patient population. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine if differences exist in CVC patency, tissue plasminogen activator usage, and the incidence of central line- associated bloodstream infections when flushing with normal saline only versus heparin and normal saline among patients undergoing BMT. METHODS: A convenience sample of 30 patients undergoing allogeneic or autologous transplantation with a new non-port/non-peripherally inserted CVC were evaluated. FINDINGS: Elimination of routine heparin use could positively affect outcomes in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]