Cancer Treatment Centers of America® Nurses Share Research and Clinical Expertise at the 40th Annual Oncology Nursing Society Congress

ORLANDO, Fla., April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nurses from Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) revealed new research on patient-centered care, pain management and bedside reporting at the 40^th Annual Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Congress in Orlando last week. This reflects the critical role CTCA nurses play in bringing to life the organization's commitment to providing clinical excellence, unparalleled patient satisfaction and innovation in patient care. As a result of this strong focus on clinical care and patient experience, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently awarded all four of CTCA's eligible hospitals their highest Five-Star quality score.

The congress, which took place April 23-26, focused on providing cutting-edge sessions on the future of oncology across the cancer care continuum. The nine podium presentations and six research posters delivered by the CTCA nurses built upon this theme by providing a detailed look at innovation being done across a number of areas.

"At CTCA, we are committed to supporting opportunities for our nurses to share their scientific knowledge while engaging with the broader oncology nursing community," said Nancy Hesse, Chief Nursing Officer at CTCA. "Our nursing staff is at the forefront of all that we do at CTCA, and we are proud to have such a strong presence at this year's congress."

The Positive Effects of a Patient Empowered Care® Model

In her presentation, Deborah Selm-Orr, BSN, MS, DNP, CRNP, AOCN, Nurse Practitioner at the CTCA Eastern Regional Medical Center in Philadelphia, shared results of a pilot study designed to uncover the impact of the CTCA Patient Empowered Care® model on symptoms of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). 

"The pilot study demonstrates the potential of the CTCA Patient Empowered Care model to lessen common cancer treatment side effects, although additional research is needed to fully understand the impact," said Selm-Orr. "The CTCA care model puts the patient at the center of a team designed to address every aspect of care, including integrative approaches that may help reduce treatment side effects, like CINV."

The Impact of Survivor Care Plans for Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Mary Ellen Galiczynski, RN, BSN, OCN, Stem Cell Transplant Coordinator at the CTCA Eastern Regional Medical Center, shared a poster highlighting the importance of survivor care plans for patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplants. The study surveyed hometown physicians who were provided a care plan when they took over post-transplant care once patients were well enough to go home. Results showed that 63 percent of hometown physicians said the survivor care plan was a vital component of the transition.

"A survivor care plan not only enables stem cell transplant patients and their hometown physicians to be an active participant in post-transplant care, but it also helps to ensure continuity in quality care. To date, none of the transplant patients in our study who received a care plan have had serious short or long-term complications associated with their transplant," said Galiczynski.  

CTCA podium presentations included:

• Deborah Baldassarre, MSN, RN, OCN, HN-BC, and Marie Decker, MSN, RN, AOCN, NE-BC, HN-BC, presented "Developing an Oncology Nurse Residency Program for Graduate Nurses"
• Marie Decker, RN, MSN, AOCN, NE-BC, HN-BC, presented "The Buzz on Bedside Reporting: The Journey"
• Christina Klein, RN, BSN, OCN, CRNI, presented "I'm Safe, You're Safe, We're All Safe!"
• Amy Malensek, RN, CBCN, OCN, Brenda Keith, MN, RN, AOCNS, Adam Kerievsky, ND, LAC, FABNO, Sarah Kiser, RD, and Jiaxin Niu, MD, presented "Obesity's Effect on Breast Cancer Recurrence"
• Amy Malensek, RN, CBCN, OCN, presented "Using Technology to Improve Nurse and Patient Outcomes"
• Joanne McGovern, RN, BSN, CCRN, Anne Hodge, RN, BSN, CCRN, Jennifer Leahy, RN, Ann Marquis, RN, BSN, CCRN, Kate Reifsnyder, RN, BSN, OCN, and Jeffrey Hoag, MD, MS, presented "Positive Outcomes in Mechanically-Ventilated Cancer Patients in the Critical Care Setting Through an Early Progressive Upright Mobility Program"
• Deborah Selm-Orr, BSN, MS, DNP, CRNP, AOCN, presented "The Impact of Model of Care on Chemotherapy Induced Nausea And Vomiting"
• Tahitia Timmons, MSN, VABC, OCN, presented "Addressing Gaps in Knowledge and Attitudes in Pain (Pain Management SIG)"
• Tahitia Timmons, MSN, VABC, OCN, presented "Fall Prevention in the Oncology Population: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using Systems Theory"

CTCA posters presentations included:

• Jenifer M. Arroyo, BSN, RN, HN-BC, and Tahitia Timmons, MSN, OCN, VABC, presented "EHR Education: Improving the Oncology Nurse Workflow"
• Richelle Cilio, RN, BSN, CRNI, OCN, and Eileen Eisenhower, RN, BSN, CRNI, OCN, presented "Fluorouracil Safety and Toxicity - Who Knew?"
• Mary Ellen Galiczynski, RN, BSN, OCN, presented "Personalized Survivor Care Plan Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant"
• Amy Malensek, RN, CBCN, OCN, presented "Improving Workflow and Job Satisfaction Among Nursing Staff Within a Newly Developed Clinical Research Department"
• Deborah Selm-Orr, BSN, MS, DNP, CRNP, AOCN, Jerome Maxfield, MSN, CRNP, Cheryl Jones, MSN, CRPN, AOCN, Anne Ojala, MSN, CRPN, AOCNP, Janell Clark-Brown, MSN, MBA, and Dottie Wiegand, MSN, CRNP, presented "Advanced Practice Committee Development"
• Inna Tsuker, B.S., Pharm.D., BCPS, and Joanne McGovern, RN, BSN, CCRN, presented "Timing of the First Dose Antimicrobials in a Community Cancer Hospital"

About Cancer Treatment Centers of America^®

Cancer Treatment Centers of America Global (CTCA), with headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla., is a national network of five hospitals that specialize in the treatment of patients fighting complex or advanced-stage cancer. CTCA offers an integrative approach to cancer treatment that combines surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy with nutritional counseling, naturopathic medicine, mind-body therapy, and spiritual support to enhance quality of life and minimize side effects during treatment. The company serves patients from around the world at hospitals located in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Tulsa. Known for delivering the Mother Standard^® of care and Patient Empowerment Medicine^®, CTCA provides patients with comprehensive information about their treatment options so they can participate in their treatment decisions. For more information about CTCA, go to www.cancercenter.com, facebook.com/CancerCenter and twitter.com/CancerCenter.

Contact:
Ellen Crane
[email protected]
(561) 923-3149

SOURCE Cancer Treatment Centers of America

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