Infusion therapy with anti-cancer drugs
Anti-cancer therapy is a field of medical specialization which today makes use of the full range of armamentarium of therapeutic approaches including surgery, radiation, nuclear therapy etc. Infusion of anti-cancer drugs is still today a mainstay of therapy, whereby most of the drugs applied are exerting their effects as cytostatics or cytotoxics. Typically, these drugs are given as disease- and stage specific regimes, e.g. FOLFOX is internationally recommended by respective guidelines as 1st-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer and combines 4 different drugs. As anti-cancer therapy is a very specialized and diversified field of therapies and brings along a range of inherent risks both for patients as well as for healthcare workers, all process steps require special attention, care, knowledge and appropriately safe products.
Prescription
For each patient and depending on the individual type and clinical stage of cancer, as well as on the patient’s physical constitution, the appropriate treatment regime and medication are defined and the respective prescription is created.
With dedicated databases as well as programming and documentation systems, B. Braun supports you in following and documenting the correct execution of the therapy steps.
Antiemetics
Nausea and vomiting are distressing and burden some experiences in patients, who suffer from them after a medical interventions. Depending on the stressors inducing nausea and vomiting there are three types: PONV, CINV, RINV. Antiemetics are used to treat nausea and vomiting. The choice of antiemetic depend on the cause (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy).
Standard Solutions
Infusion solutions are part of Basic Care in the hospital and out patient treatment. In all situations where patients need to be infused standard and electrolyte solutions build the base of therapy. These solutions are applied for administration of fluid and essential substrates for maintenance, correction and replacement and for compatible drugs as carrier.
Patient Access
For the application of anti-cancer drugs, an access to the patient needs to be established. This may be achieved by using an implanted port, a central line or a peripheral IV catheter.
For all types of access routes, B. Braun supports you with protective safety devices which are designed to ensure that the prescribed dosage of medication is safely delivered to the patient.
Preparation
Healthcare workers have to make sure that during drug preparation and transportation no spillage occurs to either skin or surface and that no aerosols are inhaled.
B. Braun has developed a dedicated range of products which help reduce the risks of exposure to anti-cancer drugs during the admixture process and during transportation.
Application
The delivery of medication to the patient requires – especially in the case of anticancer therapy – the setup of a complex system of medical devices.
The complete range of B. Braun products creates a closed system and offers you a convenient solution for an improved administration of cytotoxic drugs through the mainline or through a bolus.
Discharge Management
After hospitalization patients may have to continue the therapy at home.
B. Braun provides convenient solutions to increase patients’ mobility even in case the treatment is required after the hospital stay.
