The delivery of safe, competent, and compassionate care to oncology patients requires a planned, coordinated and collaborative interdisciplinary approach. Unforeseen barriers to providing routine, basic care and treatment to this population may pose a challenge even to the most seasoned practitioner. Successful strategies for overcoming these challenges make the sharing of ideas and performance improvement initiatives essential.
This issue of JNCQ (18:1) addresses performance improvement in oncology care across the continuum. It provides successful strategies for improving patient care from basic needs such as nutrition, to community resources at the time of discharge. Successful strategies for improving communication and support for patients and care partners during the perioperative and postoperative periods are discussed. The timely topic of patient safety is addressed in two articles: one addressing Patient Identification and the second an organization's approach to establishing Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Acute Hypersensitivity Reactions Secondary to the Administration of Chemotherapy/Biologic Therapy. Exciting new treatments such as guided imagery and massage are explored in the article titled "Complementary Approaches to Palliative Oncological Care." Ideas to improve the blood transfusion process and decrease wastage are shared in this successful and important initiative. Finally, there is an opportunity to learn about successful patient satisfaction and benchmarking initiatives geared to healthcare organizations that focus on cancer.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to those who have contributed to this journal. I dedicate this issue of the JNCQ to them, and all those who tirelessly commit themselves in their daily work to the prevention, cure and treatment of cancer. I am grateful for their dedication that has resulted in improved quality of life for those with the disease and the time taken to share their success so that others may learn.