Chemotherapy Safety

Patients suffering from cancer may undergo chemotherapy as a primary treatment method. Since chemotherapy uses strong and potent medications to eliminate cancer cells, safety is a major concern surrounding this treatment. The basic principal of chemotherapy drugs is that it tracks and destroys rapidly multiplying cells that sometimes include normal healthy cells like hair cells. It is vital for patients to communicate clearly and thoroughly with medical personnel to minimize errors in treatment.

Interesting information has emerged from a survey of four hundred and seventy – nine patients undergoing chemotherapy at a central regional hospital in Switzerland. This survey assessed the patient’s experiences in medication administration safety during chemotherapy. Also, the survey assessed the participation in error avoidance strategies by the patients and the safety practices by the medical personnel. It is quite surprising to know that around 60% of these chemotherapy patients experienced some form of error during the course of their treatment.

 After reviewing the information from the survey various mistakes occurred due to the fact that the patients placed so much trust into the medical personnel to deliver safe care and the patients were not involved in this process. Also, many of these patients are not told to observe for errors throughout their treatment. The lack of communication and understanding by the patients and the health care givers created safety problems. Interestingly enough, around 67% of the patients participating in the survey recognized that they could have assisted to avoid the occurrence of these health errors.

The American Cancer Society has basic guidelines to improve and increase communication between medical personnel and chemotherapy patients. First of all, patients planning to undergo chemotherapy should communication to their physician, nurses and other medical personal about the process of chemotherapy. It is important for these patients to ask various questions so that they have a good understanding about chemotherapy. Patients must also be actively involved with the safety protocols for this therapy.

On the other hand, the medical staff should clearly inform the patients on the details and facts of chemotherapy. Also, they must have a comprehensive knowledge on the needs and wants of the patient including the overall goals of therapy. Medical personnel must also encourage and support patients to be mindful of errors during treatment and report them as soon as possible.