Reducing the incidence of stomatitis using a quality assessment and improvement approach.
Stomatitis occurs in approximately 40% of the patients receiving systemic administration of chemotherapy and cancer treatments such as radiation to the head and neck. The presence of stomatitis affects the course of treatment and a patient's quality of life. An oncology nursing unit developed a quality assessment and improvement indicator addressing stomatitis. Oral cavity screening, dental consultations, oral care techniques, and patient teaching were included in the nursing interventions, which resulted in a marked reduction of new cases of stomatitis.
Graham
K M
KM
Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Buffalo, NY 14215.
Pecoraro
D A
DA
Ventura
M
M
Meyer
C C
CC
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents