Nurses' guide to understanding and implementing the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for myeloid growth factors.
OBJECTIVE
To review and determine the applicability of the 2006 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) clinical practice guidelines for the use of myeloid growth factors in adult patients treated with chemotherapy for solid tumors and nonmyeloid malignancies.


METHODS
Published guidelines, original research, review articles, and conference presentations.


RESULTS
Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is a common adverse effect of myelosuppressive chemotherapy that may lead to life-threatening infections, prolonged hospitalization, increased IV antibiotic use, and dose reductions or delays that affect patients' quality of life and clinical outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Before treatment begins, nurses should determine which patients are at greater risk for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and implement an appropriate plan of care.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses are in an ideal position to implement a risk assessment tool and play an integral role in directing the quality of patient care. Implementing the NCCN guidelines is one way to facilitate standardization of care.
Wilson
Barbara J
BJ
University of Mary, Bismarck, ND, USA. bwlsn56@aol.com
Gardner
Allison E
AE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D032921:Consensus; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors