An evaluation of the quality of a chemotherapy administration service established by nurses in an oncology day care centre

Traditionally, chemotherapy administration has been a medical role in Hong Kong. In 1998, two chemotherapy nurses took over part of this role within a major oncology day care centre after completing a course in chemotherapy administration and patient care. The aim of this study was to measure and evaluate the quality of care by using a self-developed audit form and the Worthing Chemotherapy Satisfaction Questionnaire (WSCQ). All records of patients who had had IV cannulas inserted by nurses over a period of one year were audited for the accuracy of the IV cannulation (n = 2217). Also, patient satisfaction was assessed in 50 patients. The results showed that the accuracy of IV cannulation was kept constantly above 80% from the eighth month of auditing onwards. It was also found that patients preferred the use of a butterfly needle for the administration of chemotherapy. The study revealed that the level of information received regarding treatment (r = 0.36, P = 0.011) and satisfaction of practical advice on caring for side effects (r = 0.35, P = 0.012) were determinants of patients' overall satisfaction. Furthermore, anxiety when patients received chemotherapy could also be associated with overall satisfaction (r = -0.27), although the P value was of borderline significance only (P = 0.58). In conclusion, the study reflected a high level of quality of care in relation to this element of nurse-led practice.