IV chemo while in transit?

DatMurse · May 14, 2015

What do you do when your patient with active chemo infusing has to to leave the unit for a test/procedure? Do you go with them as a RN escort? Do you delay the test? Do you send them with pump/tubing well labeled as cytotoxic?
Just wondering what other centers do - thanks.

I think it would be dependent upon the P&P, drug being given, chances of reaction, and how urgent are these tests?

at my old hospital it was up to the nurse, HOWEVER if it was a highly reactive med I would not let them. I havent had to make that call yet. But it all goes back to "can this test wait?"

if it is highly reactive I think going with rescue meds would be a good idea, but IDK

melizerd, ASN, RN · May 14, 2015

We hold the test unless it were a life and death matter.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · May 30, 2015

Send with cytotoxic chemo bag over the drug hanging on the pole so anyone seeing them knows it's chemo. They get sent with a brief transport/report sheet that has the unit contact info on it and we can add comments to it, so I can add a "chemo precautions" comment. Some of our patients getting continuous ara-c and such, there's no way we could wait until it was done for most tests!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 30, 2015

Nurse had to accompany the patient when I worked in the hospital.