Oncology Pharmacy in Your Community - CAPhO

2007 | NOPS POSTERS
EVALUATION OF THE INDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF HEMATOLOGICAL TOXICITIES AMONG CHEMOTHERAPY PA-
TIENTS AT THE DR. H. BLISS MURPHY CANCER CENTER IN ST. JOHN’S, NL
Erin Schwenger Michael LeBlanc, B.Sc (Pharm), Pharm D (candidate)
Objective: To evaluate hematological toxicities and patient care by implementing a clinical pharmacy service to monitor for neutropenia
and anemia among chemotherapy patients, initiate required therapy and collect insurance information for eligible patients.
Design: All patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Center requiring hematology during the 2-month
period were included in the review. Hematology was checked the day following treatment with serum creatinine, total billirubin, hemoglobin,
hematocrit, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and platelets being documented. Any patient with Hemoglobin less than 100 g/L,
or ANC equal to or less than 1.5 x 109 /L was referred to the clinical pharmacist.
Results: 12.28% of the 288 patients screened presented with hemoglobin less than 100 g/L and 12.72% presented with an ANC less
than 1.5 x 109 /L. Of the 29 patients with neutropenia, 14 were being treated with palliative intent, 13 were adjuvant, and 2 were neoadjuvant.
76.9% of the adjuvant patients identifi ed did not currently have therapy initiated.
Conclusions: A clinical pharmacy position dedicated to hematological screening of patients undergoing chemotherapy to identify
chemotherapy-induced anemia and neutropenia and to facilitate patient access to medications can improve patient outcomes and
ensure the appropriate and timely use of growth factors.
Contact Information:
Michael LeBlanc
Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Center
Eastern Health Cancer Care Program
Sponsor:
Amgen
NOPS — Oncology Pharmacy in Your Community, October 26-28, 2007
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