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The Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center is located at our Williamson
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TRINITAS CANCER NURSES ACHIEVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Make Multiple Presentations at Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society
Trinitas Cancer Nursing experts gave multiple presentations at the 33rd
Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), the nation's premier
cancer nursing conference, recently held in Philadelphia. Included was a
poster discussion on improving patient adherence to clinical protocols, a
poster on an innovative interdisciplinary program to relieve patient
fatigue, a presentation on achieving high rates of oncology nursing
certification, and an abstract on enhancing programs related to National
Cancer Survivors Day. The Trinitas Cancer Nurses achieved national
recognition among their peers by sharing their best practices for
outstanding patient care at Trinitas. The 33rd Annual ONS Congress was
attended by 6,200 cancer nurses from hospitals and cancer centers throughout
the country.
Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinitas Regional Medical Center, stated, "Having four Best Practices presented at the premier
national oncology nursing conference is a proud achievement for Trinitas. I
am gratified that our outstanding nurses continue to receive well-deserved
recognition not only for their dedication to continuously improving patient
care but also for their commitment to share their professional expertise
with the entire nursing profession."
A Team Approach toward Promoting Patient Adherence to Oral
Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Protocols, presented and authored by Mrs. Carol S.
Blecher, RN, MS, AOCN, APN,C, Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Trinitas
Comprehensive Cancer Center as well as Jeanette Barefoot, RN, MSSL, OCN;
Diane Davis, BSN, OCN; Juanita Fryar, RN, BSN, OCN; and Julio Fumoso, BS,
RPh, offered details on a program designed for physicians, nursing and
pharmacy professionals to partner in providing safe and effective management
of oral anti-cancer regimens. The poster noted that with the increased use
of these regimens, multiple risks and challenges have been identified
throughout the country. The poster demonstrated the effectiveness of checks
and balances instituted at Trinitas that maximize patient safety and
treatment effectiveness.
The Development of an Interdisciplinary Exercise Program for Patients
Reporting Fatigue Related to Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy, presented
and authored by Jeanette Barefoot and Mrs. Blecher, as well as by James
Dunleavy, PT, MS; and Donna Filocamo, LCSW, ACSW, described an
interdisciplinary program involving Oncology and Rehabilitative Medicine
designed to increase awareness of patient fatigue and to help patients
overcome it. Fatigue sometimes causes deleterious effects on the quality of
life affecting a patient's well-being, emotional state, and ability to cope.
The team of clinical experts at Trinitas offer a systematic and effective
means of screening patients for fatigue and evidence-based interventions to
improve the lives of those patients.
Mrs. Blecher delivered the third presentation, Planting the Seed and Growing
OCN Certified Staff. The presentation focused on teaching participants to
evaluate methods for staff certification, analyze motivational factors
influencing the desire to seek certification, and generate a staff education
strategy leading to certification.
A podium abstract entitled Child's Play: Two Innovative Survivor's Day
Programs, delivered by Gabriela Kaplan, RN, MSN, AOCN, Oncology Clinical
Nurse Specialist at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, explained the functions of the
National Cancer Survivor's Day Foundation and further described the Healing
Hearts artwork created in 2006, and the Scrapbook for Hope developed earlier
this year. Ms. Kaplan concluded her presentation by asserting that "Our
patients and their families are survivors from the first day of diagnosis."
"I am gratified that Trinitas Cancer Nurses were selected to share their
expertise at the largest and most important oncology nursing conference in
the country," said Mrs. Blecher. "Their presentations underscored the
tremendous level of knowledge and professionalism of our Oncology Certified
Nurses (OCN) at Trinitas."
