Dana-Farber Cancer Institute nurse scientists and clinicians are presenting key studies at the 50th annual Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Congress taking place from April 9-13, 2025, in Denver.
ONS Congress is the largest, most comprehensive oncology nursing conference in the country, featuring nurse-led presentations that highlight the intersection of clinical knowledge, research, direct patient care and advocacy resulting in innovation.
"I am proud that so many of our staff are sharing their research and expertise at ONS Congress. It not only elevates the profession, but also strengthens the foundation of evidence-based practice that drives better patient outcomes in oncology," said Dana-Farber Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Anne Gross, PhD, RN, FAAN. "Each nurse's contribution is a testament to the power of collaboration and lifelong learning which is shaping the future of health care."
Notable presentations by Dana-Farber nurses and researchers include:
Hypersensitivity Reaction Simulation: Improving the Rescue Response Through Increased Self-Confidence and Nurse Empowerment
The high risk and high volume of hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) in oncology, combined with the complexity of managing HSRs, requires transforming how nurses are educated to respond to clinical emergencies. Simulated HSRs are a fun and meaningful way to improve the patient's rescue response while increasing staff knowledge, self-confidence, team-building and critical thinking skills. Implications for practice include incorporating future simulated interdisciplinary HSRs, with dedicated time for debriefing, to enhance self-confidence, empowerment, teamwork and communication.
- Title/Presentation: Hypersensitivity Reaction Simulation: Improving the Rescue Response Through Increased Self-Confidence and Nurse Empowerment
- Presenter: Megan Corbett, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, OCN
- Session: Project Presentations: Managing Administration - Saturday, April 12, 2025, 5:00-6:00 p.m. EDT / 3:00-4:00 p.m. MDT, in Bluebird Ballroom 2CDE (Colorado Convention Center)
Development of a Simple Language - Patient Education Tool to Support Safe Outpatient Bispecific Antibody Therapy
Bispecific antibody therapy for relapsed refractory multiple myeloma and lymphoma presents unique safety challenges in the outpatient setting. Safe and successful treatment depends on an informed, engaged patient and a responsible caregiver to monitor for treatment-related toxicities at home. To achieve the goal of a patient education tool to bridge the gap between hospital and home monitoring, the interdisciplinary team developed an instructional booklet using simple language to describe treatment rationale and responsibilities of the caregiver and patient for extensive home monitoring and assessment. This resource empowers patients and caregivers to identify early signs of toxicity, such as cytokine release and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and seek timely interventions.
- Title/Presentation: Development of a Simple Language - Patient Education Tool to Support Safe Outpatient Bispecific Antibody Therapy
- Presenter: Nellee Fine, BSN, MA, RN, AOCN
- Session: Poster Monitor 21 - Thursday, April 10, 2025, 8:20-8:30 p.m. EDT / 6:20-6:30 p.m. MDT, in Bluebird Ballroom Pre-Function (Colorado Convention Center)
Primary Nursing: Patient and Nurse Collaboration in Exceptional Care
The importance of advocacy, collaboration and trust as hallmarks of primary nursing became even more critical to Dana-Farber's infusion nurse team following the COVID-19 pandemic. A Primary Nurse Taskforce was formed to address challenges and improve implementation of the primary nurse model. Primary nurse champions describe that the relationship with patients adds to their sense of autonomy and satisfaction in caring for patients and spans the care continuum from survivorship to end of life.
- Title/Presentation: Primary Nursing: Patient and Nurse Collaboration in Exceptional Care
- Presenter: Kerrin Albert, BSN, RN, OCN
- Session: Poster Monitor 1 - Thursday, April 10, 2025, 8:00-8:10 p.m. EDT / 6:00-6:10 p.m. MDT, in Bluebird Ballroom Pre-Function (Colorado Convention Center)
Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for Anxiety and Pain Reduction During Bone Marrow Biopsies in the Adult Ambulatory Oncology Setting
The use of non-pharmacologic interventions can be feasibly implemented to improve patients' bone marrow biopsy experiences, most notably to improve comfort and reduce anxiety associated with the procedure. Stress balls and then music were selected most often. Implementation of a comfort cart with a variety of non-pharmacological options can enhance the patient experience and should be considered a valuable addition by health care organizations.
- Title/Presentation: Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for Anxiety and Pain Reduction During Bone Marrow Biopsies in the Adult Ambulatory Oncology Setting
- Presenter: Melissa Cochran, MS, APRN, AOCNP
- Session: Poster Monitor 2 - Friday, April 11, 2025, 1:55-2:05 p.m. EDT / 11:55am-12:05 p.m. MDT, in Bluebird Pre-Function (Colorado Convention Center)
A Comparative Analysis of Patient Perceptions of Unit Based Sound
Loud noise levels associated with modern medical care may impact sleep quality with negative health outcomes such as increased infection rates, worsening pain, increased readmission rates, poor memory recall, prolonged wound healing, decreased strength and mood disturbances. Dana-Farber's inpatient hospital has utilized Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Services (HCAHPS) surveys to better understand the patient experience, but low response rates and lack of direct feedback have made improvements difficult. The use of a voluntary discharge survey in conjunction with HCAHPS surveys provided a more comprehensive understanding of patient perception of unit based noise and suggestions for improvement than HCAHPS surveys alone.
- Title/Presentation: A Comparative Analysis of Patient Perceptions of Unit Based Sound
- Presenter: Christopher Mangels, MSN, RN, OCN, ACRN
- Session: Poster Monitor 2 - Friday, April 11, 2025, 8:00-8:10 p.m. EDT / 6:00-6:10 p.m. MDT, in Bluebird Pre-Function (Colorado Convention Center)
