Development of Algorithms for the Home Care of Cancer Chemotherapy Patients

재가 항암화학요법을 받는 암환자의 가정간호중재 알고리즘 개발

Cancer is a leading cause of death, and the number of cancer patients is increasing in Korea. The needs for the home care of cancer patients are increasing recently, but the standardized home care protocols are not developed yet. This study was designed to develop nursing assessment -intervention algorithms for the cancer chemotherapy patients at home. These algorithms suggest guidelines when we assess the patient's condition, and find appropriate nursing interventions, so that standardization and quality control of home care can be attained. The algorithms were processed by yes-no tree. Eleven common problems of cancer chemotherapy patients were identified by the literature review and oncology nurses' experience. These were digestive dysfunction, pain, fatigue, infection, respiratory difficulties, activity intolerance, hemorrhage, sensory disorder, edema, skin problem, and mucosal problem. The algorithm needs to be validated and modified by using for the cancer chemotherapy patients at home.