ashang26

thanks jskgx2! we pretty much have the same protocol except for orders being faxed to us. thanks again for the input.

I'm a chemo certified nurse in an oncology/med-surg unit looking for ideas on how to handle and execute chemotherapy orders that needs to be given in a non-oncology unit (ICU, Step-down, regular med-surg). We are currently very short-staffed with 6-7 patients a piece and it is a challenge to also have 2 of our nurses to be off the floor to give chemo. We have also been having problems with getting information about orders that needs to be given outside our unit. We end up having either wasted doses, because somebody that is not a chemo nurse ordering the pharmacy to mix the medication when in fact we don't even know the order existed, hence an expired chemo. The patients has to stay a little longer,because of that setback as well. How does your off-unit chemo orders being communicated to y'all? does the pharmacy send a copy of an order? do they call you or does the RN taking care of the patient calls you? How do you schedule or keep track of all of your off-unit chemotherapy administration? Do you guys have a pathway to make a smoother communication and execution? I would deeply appreciate any information, suggestions, or opinions. Thank you very much!