title: Templates of patient brochures for the preparation, administration and safe-handling of oral chemotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The increased use of oral chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer introduces new challenges for patients and caregivers. Among them are the ability to swallow oral solid dosage forms, the proper administration of the agents and the safe-handling of chemotherapeutic drugs in the home. Since these drugs are hazardous, proper preparation, administration, and disposition introduces a variety of safety issues. The increased toxicity of these drugs coupled with complicated dosing regimens and the occasional need to dilute the drug or measure a liquid dosage form require careful instruction of the patient and/or caregivers. The purpose of this project was to create templates for writing patient instruction brochures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of clinicians specializing in oncology from several institutions in the United States and Canada met through a series of conference calls. The group included pharmacists with a specialty in pediatric oncology, investigational drug pharmacists, and an oncology nurse practitioner. National guidelines and practices at each institution were used for the creation of templates to be used in developing templates for medication and formulation-specific instruction brochures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group developed six templates. The templates ranged in scope from instructions on the administration of intact tablets or capsules to directions on opening capsules or crushing tablets and mixing the content with foods or liquids. Thirty-three drug-specific brochures were developed using the templates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Templates of patient brochures and drug-specific brochures on the safe handling of chemotherapy in the home can be created using a collaborative, multi-institutional approach.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Rivka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siden
authors.forename: Ravie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kem
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ostrenga
authors.forename: Darcy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicksy
authors.forename: Brooke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bernhardt
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bartholomew
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004304:Dosage Forms; D006801:Humans; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D061214:Patient Safety; D012646:Self Administration / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004304:Dosage Forms
keywords: Oral chemotherapy; patient instruction; safe administration; templates