The oncology acute toxicity unit (OATU): an outpatient facility for improving the management of chemotherapy toxicity

Abstract

The OATU enables prompt and efficient access of patients to medical oncology facilities in the event of toxicity due to chemotherapy. Unnecessary emergency room use is avoided while oncology outpatient and hospitalisation facilities are optimised.

Unplanned oncology admissions within 14 days of non-surgical discharge: a retrospective study

“…In line with international reports, this study confirms the relationship between receipt of chemotherapy and risk of UPA in particular when combination chemotherapy is given [1,2,18,23]. Additionally, patients with cancer at an advanced stage, those with nausea and vomiting, pain, and patients without specialised palliative care support were all at an increased risk of UPA.…”

“…It is possible that in the study hospital, with no attached ED, it may be more convenient for the medical oncologist to authorise admission to expedite review and initiate treatment by the resident medical officer who has jurisdiction only within the inpatient setting. It would be reasonable to consider assessing and treating patients with cancer-related disease and treatment toxicities away from the inpatient setting, including those with low-risk febrile neutropaenia [18,[34][35][36].…”

“…Admission to the study hospital is often facilitated by nurses in the cancer centre taking telephone triage calls and relaying the content of the information recorded to the treating oncologist, often leading to a directive to admit the patient without prior medical review. Several authors suggest that it is likely that admission without prior physical assessment for supportive care places an unnecessary burden on inpatient beds [15][16][17][18].…”

Investigation of the outpatient chemotherapy for lung cancer patients in Tokushima University Hospital

“…Infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, in accordance with neutropenia were prominent. The rate of emergency admission during chemotherapy was 16.0%, which was comparable with the report that 20.8% of cases required hospital admission during outpatient chemotherapy (13). Finally, we examined the TTFs of first-line and second or more lines of chemotherapy (Fig.…”

“…All adverse events were well tolerated and no grade 5 toxicities were developed in the present study. Moreover, the rate of emergency admission during chemotherapy was 16.0%, which was comparable with the report that 20.8% of cases required hospital admission during outpatient chemotherapy (13). Taken these results into consideration, the safety of treatment is insured and QOL of the patients with lung cancer seems to be well maintained during treatment in outpatient chemotherapy unit in our hospital.…”