Enhancement of Oncology Nurses' Competency Regarding Management of Intravenous Chemotherapy Extravasation

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy extravasation is serious problem, causing a damage that may range from a minorskin reaction to full-thickness burn , muscle , tendon necrosis and results in extending hospital stays, increasingmorbidity, and treatment costs. Aim: Enhance oncology nurses' competency regarding management of intravenouschemotherapy extravasation. Method: A quasi-experimental design one-group pretest posttest was used with a sample of63 nurses working at the medical department and chemotherapy installation unit at Oncology Center at MansouraUniversity Hospital. Tools: Two tools were used: Tool 1: Structured Interview questionnaire . Tool 2: Nurses’ practiceobservational checklist. Results: Nurses’ knowledge levels improved regarding chemotherapy extravasation posteducational intervention (80.7%) compared to (7%) pre educational intervention(P value <0.001*). Nurses’ practicelevels improved post educational intervention(86%) compared to (50.9%) pre educational intervention(P value<0.001*). Conclusion: There was statistically significant improvement in nurses’ competency regarding chemotherapyextravasation post educational intervention. Recommendation: Continuous in-service training programs for oncologynurses regarding prevention and management of intravenous chemotherapy extravasation to improve their knowledgeand practice.