Rooming chemo pt with non-oncology pt

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2016

Why do you say not? When I worked in the hospital, our floor was neurology, neurosurgery and neuro-oncology and our chemo patients certainly shared rooms with non-chemo patients.

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2016

I'm assuming you're concerned about infection risk? Correct me if that isn't the case. Bortezomib apparently is more of an issue for platelets (the nadir is 11 days: Velcade - Chemotherapy Drugs - Chemocare) and there is, of course, some risk to WBC and the issues with immunosuppression. If the non-onc patient has nothing that is infectious (and likely not as they would be on isolation anyhow), then the room assignment is fine. We've had the sickle cell kids room with the kids getting chemo before and it's not usually an issue. It's when their counts drop after chemo is when it becomes a problem.

greenerpastures · Dec 13, 2016

Depends on why they are getting the velcade, if they are immunocompromised, they should be in a private room. Also depends on whether they are using the same bathroom;our facility does not allow co-rooming for patients receiving chemotherapy as chemotherapy can be passed in blood, urine, feces, on soiled linens - we just look at as too much of a possible unknown exposure for someone not receiving chemotherapy.