Page 112 - APPENDIX B: Trials Investigating the Management of Acute Radiation-Induced Skin Reactions Reading Qualitative Research

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WOUND CARE

Recommendations

There are implications for practice and leadership, as well as recommendations for future

research and policy development, derived from the study in the evolving area of Radiation

Therapy Nursing. Findings from the literature review (Phase I), the national environmental scan

survey (Phase II) and qualitative interviews (Phase III) served as a frame of reference for

discussion with expert consults during the final consensus-building process (Phase IV).

Implications for practice. There is scant research literature and insufficient evidence to

direct practice towards radiating through wound dressings during cancer radiotherapy as it is not

clear if the technique is indeed safe or efficient practice. However, in all cases, ‘best practice’

must take into account patient preference, contextual factors and the goals of care (i.e., curative,

palliative or supportive). Toward this end, clinical practice tools that elicit patient preference

should be integrated into the care of patients. Nursing BPGs by the RNAO recommend practice

settings to adapt and tailor wound management guidelines (for example; foot ulcers for people

with diabetes, venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers) in formats that would be user friendly and

apply the implementation strategies for local uptake.

Emerging from the study analysis and from the expert consultations are nursing practice

implications such as the need for continuing education and in-services in wound management

for Radiation Therapy Nurses. Knowledge transfer to clinical staff will result in consistency in

wound management during any change processes, such as the introduction of new wound care

products.

Shared clinical decision-making through team meetings empowers nurses in the provision

of patient care in a highly inter-professional work setting such as the ambulatory Radiation

Oncology Centre. This study suggested that reporting patient status with use of a standardized

skin assessment tool for radiation dermatitis promotes collaboration with the entire team via the