On June 17 this year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare released the latest statistics on the top 10 causes of death among Taiwanese citizens for 2023, with cancer retaining the top spot for the 42nd consecutive year. As medical technology continues to advance, key considerations when patients undergo chemotherapy are safety, convenience, and continuity. Compared to inpatient treatment, chemotherapy is now more commonly administered through outpatient care or portable home-based chemotherapy. This approach offers the same treatment effectiveness as hospitalization while also reducing the delay in treatment caused by waiting for inpatient admission.
What is portable chemotherapy?
This is a lightweight, disposable, and portable infusion device (portable chemotherapy infusion pump, commonly known as the "chemo bottle"). The device is filled with chemotherapy drugs, which are delivered through continuous elastic pressure. Patients can receive chemotherapy at home without needing to be hospitalized. The device is compact, requires no setup, and can be easily carried in a pocket, purse, or waist pouch. It provides comfort and convenience for patients who undergo frequent chemotherapy treatments.
Process for Using Portable Chemotherapy
After the attending physician assesses that the patient is suitable for portable chemotherapy and obtains the patient's consent, the treatment is initiated. The complete chemotherapy regimen is divided into two phases: the first phase takes place in the outpatient chemotherapy room, while the second phase involves the patient taking home the portable chemotherapy infusion pump (commonly known as the "chemo bottle") for continuous chemotherapy over 24 or 48 hours. Once the medication infusion is complete, the patient returns to the hospital to have the chemo bottle removed.
Portable Chemotherapy Nursing Care Services
1.In the hospital, nurses assist with the placement of the portable chemotherapy infusion pump and educate patients on the care and precautions related to the injection site of the vascular access device.
2.Our hospital offers diverse nursing guidance for portable chemotherapy, including multimedia video learning, QR code resources for nursing instructions, and hands-on teaching with models of the chemotherapy pump. Patients are also asked to complete a questionnaire to assess their understanding of self-care; nurses will provide additional guidance on areas where patients feel less familiar.
3.During the home chemotherapy period, our hospital provides a telephone follow-up service to check on patients' conditions during home chemotherapy and offer necessary nursing guidance.
4.After the chemotherapy infusion is completed and patients return to the outpatient chemotherapy room, nurses assist in removing the device, assess the severity of any chemotherapy side effects, and provide necessary nursing instructions.
Home Care Precautions for Portable Chemotherapy
1.Injection Site Care: Pay attention to the arm's position and avoid lifting heavy objects to prevent dislodgment of the catheter.
2.Clothing: Wear loose-fitting, front-buttoned clothing to facilitate dressing changes and reduce tension on the tubing. Keep the infusion pump in a backpack and secure it around your waist to prevent accidental collisions that could cause it to fall.
3.Bathing Precautions: During home chemotherapy, temporarily avoid taking baths. Opt for sponge baths or showers, avoiding the injection site. Ensure that the waterproof transparent dressing is properly secured to prevent infection at the injection site.
4.Avoid Heat and Sunlight: Keep the infusion pump out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources to prevent damage or rupture from excessive heat.
5.Self-Monitoring: When at home, regularly check that the connection between the chemotherapy pump and the tubing is secure, ensure the clamp is open, and observe that the medication reservoir is gradually decreasing in size.
6.Seek Medical Attention: If the injection site shows signs of redness, swelling, heat, pain, leakage, or abnormal sensations, or if severe side effects occur due to chemotherapy, seek medical attention promptly.
Portable chemotherapy can prevent delays in the critical treatment window caused by waiting for hospital beds, while also reducing the need for caregivers to make frequent trips to the hospital. This allows both patients and caregivers to maintain their existing work and daily activities without being limited by hospitalization. Our medical team utilizes innovative and diverse nursing guidance methods and tools to ensure that patients use portable chemotherapy correctly and safely. We provide comprehensive care and support for portable chemotherapy, enhancing patients' self-care knowledge and abilities, ultimately improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their caregivers.