Abstract
Session presented on Friday, July 24, 2015:
Radiation induced skin reaction effects 85% of patients receiving radiation therapy (Glover and Harmer, 2014). Current medical and nursing literature identifies that there is not a standardized protocol followed for skin care during radiation therapy (Dendaas, 2012). Over the past three decades, radiation technology and treatment techniques have progressed, thus allowing minimal dose to the skin when possible (Gosselin, 2010). Even with these advances patients undergoing radiation therapy can expect to develop some degree of radiation-induced dermatitis (Iwamot, 2012). Skin reactions vary depending on individual factors, such as total dose, type of radiation and energy used, treatment volume, and size of daily fraction (Gosselin, 2010). At White Plains Hospital, we explored current oncology guidelines to develop a to guide us in defining an appropriate skin care protocol for women receiving exteRN beam radiation to the breast. Designated as a Performance Improvement, our study compared and evaluated axillary, and breast skin reaction during breast exteRN beam radiation, while using aluminum based deodorant or aluminum free- deodorant. Sources of data collection include chart review, and observation baseline, and with weekly status checks. Degree of reaction was rated as 0-for no reaction, 1-for minimal erythema, and 3-for brisk erythema based upon the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Toxicity Scale. After three weeks 50% of patients had a skin reaction of 1 to the treated breast, and no axillary reaction with the use of aluminum free deodorant. 50% of patients had a skin reaction of 1 to the treated breast, and no axillary reaction with the use of aluminum based deodorant. At four weeks 50% of patients had a skin reaction of 1 to the treated breast and no axillary reaction with the use of aluminum free deodorant; 70% of patients had a skin reaction of 1 to the treated breast, and no axillary reaction with the use of aluminum based deodorant. After five weeks 80% of patients had a skin reaction ranging from 1 to 2, to the treated breasts and, 20% had a skin reaction of 1 to the axilla with the use of aluminum free deodorant. 80% of patients had a skin reaction ranging from 1 to 2, to the treated breasts, and 10% had a skin reaction of 1 to the axilla with the use of aluminum based deodorant. Finally, after six weeks 90 % of patients had a skin reaction ranging from 1 to 2, to the treated breasts and 30 % had a skin reaction of 1 to the axilla with the use of aluminum free deodorant. Further, 90% of patients had a skin reaction ranging from 1 to 2, to the treated breasts, and 10% had a skin reaction of 1 to the axilla with the use of aluminum based deodorant. Our protocol, therefore, was found to be safe, effective, and useful to women across the lifespan. Moreover, based upon these findings, this study concluded that an appropriate, patient centered protocol designed for specific at risk populations, such as women with breast cancer receiving exteRN beam radiation could be developed.
Sigma Membership
Alpha Psi
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Breast Cancer, Oncology Nursing, Radiation Therapy
Recommended Citation
Reilly, Rose Marie, "Changing the skin care protocol for external beam radiation" (2016). INRC (Congress). 70.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2015/posters_2015/70
Conference Name
26th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Conference Year
2015
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.
All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Changing the skin care protocol for external beam radiation
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Session presented on Friday, July 24, 2015:
Radiation induced skin reaction effects 85% of patients receiving radiation therapy (Glover and Harmer, 2014). Current medical and nursing literature identifies that there is not a standardized protocol followed for skin care during radiation therapy (Dendaas, 2012). Over the past three decades, radiation technology and treatment techniques have progressed, thus allowing minimal dose to the skin when possible (Gosselin, 2010). Even with these advances patients undergoing radiation therapy can expect to develop some degree of radiation-induced dermatitis (Iwamot, 2012). Skin reactions vary depending on individual factors, such as total dose, type of radiation and energy used, treatment volume, and size of daily fraction (Gosselin, 2010). At White Plains Hospital, we explored current oncology guidelines to develop a to guide us in defining an appropriate skin care protocol for women receiving exteRN beam radiation to the breast. Designated as a Performance Improvement, our study compared and evaluated axillary, and breast skin reaction during breast exteRN beam radiation, while using aluminum based deodorant or aluminum free- deodorant. Sources of data collection include chart review, and observation baseline, and with weekly status checks. Degree of reaction was rated as 0-for no reaction, 1-for minimal erythema, and 3-for brisk erythema based upon the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Toxicity Scale. After three weeks 50% of patients had a skin reaction of 1 to the treated breast, and no axillary reaction with the use of aluminum free deodorant. 50% of patients had a skin reaction of 1 to the treated breast, and no axillary reaction with the use of aluminum based deodorant. At four weeks 50% of patients had a skin reaction of 1 to the treated breast and no axillary reaction with the use of aluminum free deodorant; 70% of patients had a skin reaction of 1 to the treated breast, and no axillary reaction with the use of aluminum based deodorant. After five weeks 80% of patients had a skin reaction ranging from 1 to 2, to the treated breasts and, 20% had a skin reaction of 1 to the axilla with the use of aluminum free deodorant. 80% of patients had a skin reaction ranging from 1 to 2, to the treated breasts, and 10% had a skin reaction of 1 to the axilla with the use of aluminum based deodorant. Finally, after six weeks 90 % of patients had a skin reaction ranging from 1 to 2, to the treated breasts and 30 % had a skin reaction of 1 to the axilla with the use of aluminum free deodorant. Further, 90% of patients had a skin reaction ranging from 1 to 2, to the treated breasts, and 10% had a skin reaction of 1 to the axilla with the use of aluminum based deodorant. Our protocol, therefore, was found to be safe, effective, and useful to women across the lifespan. Moreover, based upon these findings, this study concluded that an appropriate, patient centered protocol designed for specific at risk populations, such as women with breast cancer receiving exteRN beam radiation could be developed.