Pharma Middle East

Biography

Biography: Manal Zaidan

Abstract

Chemotherapy is the mainstay of cancer treatment. However, chemotherapy treatment may cause nausea and vomiting, which could cause 25–50% of patients to consider delaying or refusing further cancer treatment. Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) can be prevented in 70–80% of patients with evidence-based anti-emetic regimen. The purpose of this study is to assess prescribing patterns with regard to prevention of CINV, in the NCCCR, and develop and implement a standardized evidence-based guideline for the management of CINV. Methods: 25 anti-emetic prescriptions were audited to assess their conformity with either of the published guidelines; Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), or the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), to establish baseline data. A multidisciplinary team of clinical pharmacists and oncologists developed and implemented a guideline for the prevention of CINV. The guideline was promoted using a variety of strategies; education, pocket cards, academic detailing and pharmacist intervention. Physician anti-emetic orders were audited by pharmacists, to assess their conformity with NCCCR anti-emetic guidelines. A data collection form was developed to capture relevant information including; patient demographics, type and emetogenic level of chemotherapy, and the conformity of anti-emetic order with NCCCR guidelines. SPSS statistical software was used to analyze the data. Results: The conformity of anti-emetic physician order with NCCCR anti-emetic guidelines increased from 0% baseline in June 2008 to an average of 60.006% (n=331) by December 2010 and consistently increased reaching 94.3827% (n=792) by December 2013, (p value=0.0002). Conclusion: The introduction of anti-emetic guidelines succeeded in standardizing CINV management, toward an evidence-based approach