International Conference on Oncology Nursing, Cancer Care & Radiology and Imaging September 19-20 2016 Las Vegas, USA

Ina L Wilson has completed her Master of Science in Nursing from Indiana University School of Nursing and pursuing Post-master’s studies from Valparaiso University School of Nursing. She is a board certified Nurse Practitioner at Indiana University Health, a tertiary care academic center.

Oncology nursing is widely viewed as a rewarding and emotional challenging specialty. Oncology nurses witness terminal illness, death, physical, and emotional suffering which increases their risk of developing compassion fatigue. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to increase awareness of compassion fatigue among oncology nurses by providing them with knowledge, effective coping skills, and self-care management skills. The theory of human caring was used as the theoretical framework to support this EBP project and the intervention was guided by The Iowa model of research-based practice to promote quality care. The project used a pre-test and post-test design. Compassion fatigue scores of the professional quality of life scale V (ProQOL V) were compared from the pre-intervention stage of compassion fatigue education to the post-intervention stage immediately after completion of the compassion fatigue education. Participants were recruited from a tertiary care center hospital in Marion County, Indiana. Sixteen participants (n=17) and eleven participants (n=11) completed the intervention stage of the project. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare mean pre- and post-test compassion fatigue scores. Results demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in compassion fatigue scores following the intervention (z-score=-2.27, p<0.05). The findings of this evidence-based practice project suggest that implementation of compassion fatigue education can decrease the severity of compassion fatigue experienced by oncology nurses working on a bone marrow and stem cell transplant unit.

Siri B Talseth completed her specialist training as an oncology nurse in 2008 and is at present the Head of Unit for Palliative Care and Chemotherapy Treatment, Cancer Department, More og Romsdal Hospital Trust, Molde, Norway. She is always looking for ways to develop her department that benefits both patients and her staff.

Our unit at Molde Hospital is part of a larger cancer department consisting of four hospitals. We have a total of 6.4% oncology/palliative nurses and 1.5 % physician positions shared by an oncologist and an anesthetist. The positions are divided into outpatient and a palliative team. Our daily tasks are to treat patients in the form of chemotherapy, managing side effects, provide counseling, palliative care, teaching and support for both patients and their careers. In 2014 we started the development of patient logistics and workflow routines because our patient number increased steadily, while we had the same number of resources. In 2014 we had 3781 patients’ consultations, which increased to 4701 in 2015. Up to 10 patients had to wait on average 2-7 hours to receive chemotherapy, which is a waste of valuable time for both the patients and the hospital. In 2014, day one of treatment consisted of patient consultation, blood-tests, approval of treatment and delivery from pharmacy. The aim of the new routines was less time in hospital for the patient and to provide a better workflow for the cancer nurses. By doing small changes to our/others routines we have managed to decrease the time patients have to spend in hospital by up-to 5 hours. In conclusion, our work routines have freed up time for both the patients and nurses. We have received feedback from the laboratory, pharmacy and oncologists that the new routines are brilliant and have also made their day more efficient and easier to plan.

András Székely is a Board Certified Radiologist currently working at Kenézy Hospital in Debrecen, Hungary. He has also enrolled for PhD and his aim is to develop a mobile based decision support tool for Neuroradiology. He has presented the results of his research at numerous Radiological Conferences including RSNA, ECR and ARRS. He has published 5 original papers, and gave presentations at 2 international conferences.

Smartphones and tablets have become very popular among the general public and medical professionals, as well. These easy-to-use devices equipped with excellent displays may be used for diagnostic reading, reference, learning, consultation, and for communication with patients. Mobile devices may be categorized based on the mobile operating system that they use. The aim of this study is to illustrate how smartphones and tablets can be used by diagnostic imaging professionals, radiographers and residents; and to introduce relevant applications that are available for their field. A search was performed on iTunes, Android Market, Blackberry App World, and Windows phone marketplace for mobile applications pertinent to the field of diagnostic imaging. The following terms were applied for the search strategy: (1) Radiology, (2) X-ray, (3) ultrasound, (4) MRI, (5) CT, (6) radiographer and (7) nuclear medicine. Two radiologists reviewed the results. Our review was limited to English-language software. Additional applications were identified by reviewing the list of similar software provided in the description of each application. We downloaded and installed all applications that appeared relevant to an appropriate mobile phone or tablet device. We identified and reviewed a total of 413 applications. We ruled out 21 non-English application and 40 other applications that were created for entertainment purposes. Thus our final list includes 352 applications in the following five categories: Diagnostic reading, decision support applications, medical books, interactive encyclopedias, and journal reading programs. Smartphones and tablet computers offer new opportunities for diagnostic imaging practitioners. They provide limited opportunities in diagnostic reading, but mobile devices will be vital for teaching and learning especially for the younger generations. Decision support applications should be used while observing patient’s rights.