Oncology Nursing During a Pandemic: Critical Reflections in the Context of COVID-19.
Catherine Paterson, Barbara Gobel, Tracy Gosselin and 5 others
PMID 32423833WHAT IT FOUND
People affected by cancer may be at higher risk of severe COVID-19, and oncology nursing care should use PPE, spaced chemotherapy chairs, isolation advice, telehealth, and closer monitoring.
These are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.
Key findings
01People affected by cancer may be at elevated risk of severe COVID-19, and cancer therapy delivery may be disrupted.
02Oncology nurses should follow and regularly review institutional and government recommendations for testing, self-isolation, social distancing, quarantine, and PPE.
03During chemotherapy administration, treatment beds or chairs should be placed 1.5 meters apart, and family attendance may need to be limited.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The authors present a narrative review and critical reflection, not an original study with its own methods or results. The authors state the information is accurate only at submission and that new evidence will develop rapidly. The review notes limited information on risk factors for severe disease and very limited studies on COVID-19 effects on cancer care. Some sections focus on workforce strain and leadership rather than direct patient care.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these recommendations as evidence that they improve outcomes. The paper is a narrative review and critical reflection, not a tested intervention study.