The efficacy and cost effectiveness of new antiemetic guidelines.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To develop antiemetic guidelines to improve efficacy, optimize nursing and pharmacy time, increase compliance, and enhance cost savings.

DESIGN

Prospective, descriptive survey.

SETTING

Outpatient oncology clinic in a large metropolitan city in the mid-Atlantic United States.

SAMPLE

90 patients were evaluated for the study; 52 patients met the eligibility criteria.

METHODS

A standard antiemetic form was developed containing the emetogenic classification of the chemotherapeutic drugs and the recommended antiemetic regimen. A patient diary and visual analog scale measured patient satisfaction with the regimen-measured outcomes.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Episodes of nausea and vomiting, classification of chemotherapeutic drugs, and patient satisfaction.

FINDINGS

Seventy-nine percent of patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy demonstrated complete protection from nausea and vomiting during the first 24 hours post-therapy. All the patients receiving moderately and mildly emetogenic regimens achieved complete protection. Patients who received cisplatin-containing regimens and were on the delayed regimen of antiemetics demonstrated complete protection on days two through seven. The mean overall score for patient satisfaction with the regimen was 89 mm on a 100 mm visual analog scale.

CONCLUSIONS

The new oral antiemetic regimen compared favorably with published data, was well-tolerated, and resulted in lower pharmacy and nursing costs, with a cost saving potential of $20,000 per year.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Oncology nurses must be able to implement state-of-the-art knowledge of chemotherapy, antiemetics, and nonpharmacologic interventions to effectively manage the care of patients receiving chemotherapy. This must be performed to achieve cost effectiveness as well as useful clinical outcomes.