ONS Collaborates with CDC to Develop an Infection Control and Prevention Plan for Outpatient Oncology Services

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year more than one million patients with cancer receive their chemotherapy treatments or radiation therapy in an outpatient setting. Patients receiving chemotherapy are at risk for developing infections that may lead to hospitalization, disruptions in chemotherapy schedules, and, in some cases, death. It is critical that outpatient care be provided under conditions that minimize or eliminate risks of healthcare-associated infections.

The CDC has released a new program called Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients. The program consists of two new tools for patients, their caregivers, and their healthcare providers.

• Interactive web site for patients with cancer and their caregivers: https://www.preventcancerinfections.org.
• A Basic Infection Control and Prevention Plan for Outpatient Oncology Settings: www.cdc.gov/cancer/preventinfections.  

“The Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients Initiative is a testament to the importance of educating patients and caregivers about their risk for this side effect during cancer therapy and provides a web-based interactive tool that patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals can use to coach patients on reducing their risk,” said ONS member Michele E. Gaguski, RN, MSN, AOCN^®, CHPN, APN-C. “As a recognized leading resource in oncology nursing, the ONS Access Device Guidelines were used to construct the content for this initiative.” Gaguski is a director-at-large on the ONS Board of Directors and represented ONS in the development of this program.

ONS is a professional organization of more than 35,000 registered nurses and other healthcare professionals committed to excellence in oncology nursing and to leading the transformation of cancer care by initiating and actively supporting educational, legislative, and public awareness efforts to improve the care of people with cancer. ONS provides nurses and healthcare professionals with access to the highest quality educational programs, cancer care resources, research opportunities, and networks for peer support. Learn more at www.ons.org.

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