Chemotherapy (Injectable) Checklist
Pre-Treatment
- Owner Authorization papers signed
- Patient chart
- Physical by DVM
- Physical by Oncology technician
- Patient weight in kilograms
- Chemistry panel
- CBC
- Neutrophil count, postpone treatment if less than 3,000/ul
- WBC, postpone if low, possibly start antibiotics
Patient
- Housed in an appropriate sized cage or run, if caged a lower cage is suggested to avoid urine running to lower cage.
- Cage/run is in a location where the patient can be observed at all times
- Patient identification card
- Cage marked with a very visible sign indicating “Chemotherapy Patient”
- Fresh water
Supplies
- Chemotherapy log sheet
- M2 Conversion chart
- Calculator
- Calculate drug dosage, triple check
- Chemotherapy agent
- Hair clipper with 40 blade
- Surgical scrub/alcohol
- 1”white tape
- Bandaging material
- Scissors
- Gauze pads
- Butterfly catheter (depending on chemotherapy agent)
- Over-the-needle 22g catheter (depending on chemotherapy agent)
- Universal Vial Spike w/Clave (one per bottle)
- Spiros Closed Male adaptor
- Administration set – Clave Drip Chamber
- 250 ml bag Nacl
Supplies (cont)
- Luerlock syringe – appropriate size
- Chemotherapy gloves – one pair per person
- Chemotherapy gown – one per person
- Protective eye wear – one per person
- Chemotherapy mask – one per person
- Chemotherapy medical waste bag
- Chemotherapy sharps container
Treatment Procedure
- Have the patient walked prior to treatment
- Procedure should be performed in Chemotherapy room or a low traffic area
- Have assistant and yourself dress in appropriate clothing
- Place catheter alternating between right and left leg, This MUST be a clean stick, if not place higher on same leg or place in other leg
- Secure catheter in place
- Draw up chemotherapy agent in Luerlock syringe
- Make sure patient and assistant are comfortable
- Administer chemotherapy agent following hospital protocol
- Monitor above catheter site for swelling during entire treatment, if swelling is noted STOP injecting immediately. Remove IV catheter and follow extravasation procedure.
- Once treatment is finished remove catheter with injection site covered with several gauze pads; once catheter is removed hold steady pressure over IV site for 5 minutes
- Place a firm bandage over IV site and leave in place for one hour
- Wear gloves when removing bandage, send gloves home with owner if out patient treatment is being performed
- Patient can be placed back into their cage/run, be sure “Chemotherapy Patient” sign is visible.
- Place all waste material, syringes, catheter, IV line, etc. in appropriate waste containers
- You can now safely remove chemotherapy clothing; gloves should go into medical waste bag.
Patient Clean Up
- Medical staff must wear gloves when cleaning cage, bedding and excrement of all chemotherapy patients
- All solid waste must be double bagged before being placed in the trash
- If possible collect urine in a pan and flush it down the drain
- If you do not catch the urine thoroughly rinse the area with copious amounts of water, avoiding splashing at all times
- Blankets and bedding should be washed asap with regular disinfectant
- Cage/run can be cleaned with regular disinfectant. DO NOT use a spray bottle or hose, avoid aerosolization
Discharge
- Supply owner with written home care instruction. Go over the entire form at EVERY visit.
- Have owner sign two copies of discharge papers, one for them and one for the patient record. See our version of “Home Care Instruction” in our specialty folder
- Supply owner with gloves
- Schedule follow-up blood work, CBC 10 day post treatment
- Schedule next tentative chemotherapy treatment
24 hours post Chemotherapy
Follow up phone call to owner
Options: Download this file in Word Format | Download this file in PDF format
