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  • 1.  Doxorubicin Administration

    Posted 01-02-2019 14:56
    ​In outpatient setting, has administration of doxorubicin recently changed at anyone's facilities? For regimens such AC, CHOP or ABVD, do you administer doxorubicin IV push or IVPB? If you administer doxorubicin IVPB, how often do you check blood return and do you have a policy in place for IVPB administration of vesicant chemotherapy agents versus IV push?

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    Rosamari Douglas RN BSN OCN
    Oncology / Infusion RN
    Beaumont Health
    Clinton Township MI
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  • 2.  RE: Doxorubicin Administration

    Posted 01-02-2019 15:44
    Hi, Rosamari,

    We haven't made such changes at our facility. Doxorubicin (anthracyclines in general) is always administered IV push for a patient with peripheral IV access due to the high risk of extravasation. It is administered as IVPB for patient with a Central Venous Access Device.

    The only vesicants that we administer as IV push are the Vinca alkaloids due to the risk of inadvertent IT administration. This is usually a rapid small volume minibag infusion. We stay with the patient throughout the infusion, and we check blood return by gravity every 2 minutes. 






  • 3.  RE: Doxorubicin Administration

    Posted 01-02-2019 17:00
    ​Sorry, I did not specify in my original discussion questions the IV access type. I am referring to administration of doxorubicin via a central line. It has been our past practice to administer doxorubicin IV push whether peripheral or central line. However, this is being changed to IVPB if using central line. I am just seeking feedback to see if many are seeing this change and how this has changed your policy at your facilities for checking for blood return with doxorubicin administration if giving IVPB. What would be the rational to changing IVP to IVPB?

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    Rosamari Douglas RN BSN OCN
    Oncology / Infusion RN
    Beaumont Health
    Clinton Township MI
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  • 4.  RE: Doxorubicin Administration

    Posted 01-02-2019 16:36
    ​Good afternoon,


    I hope all is well. We do not administer Adriamycin peripherally @ Henry Ford Macomb.   Any regimen that involves Adriamycin requires Mediport or Central Venous Catheter placement prior to beginning therapy. Blood return is established before, every 10 minutes during, and post therapy.  Our staff is required to document appropriately and any issues or changes pertaining to access or blood return sare reported to the physician for further workup.  I hope this helps.




    Thank you,

    Monica Poulock Buckner RN,BSN
    Nurse Manager
    Henry Ford Cancer Institute- Macomb
    Cancer Care &  Rapid Treatment
    Phone: 586-263-2259
    Fax: 586-263-2241


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    [Monica [Buckner [Designation]
    [RN
    [Henry Ford Macomb
    [Clinton Township] [Mi]
    [586-263-2240]
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