The Use of 5 Fluorouracil Pumps in Gastro-Intestinal Patients Research Paper

The Use of 5 Fluorouracil Pumps in Gastro-Intestinal Patients - Research Paper Example The authors reported a study involving 26 patients suffering from gastrointestinal cancers and other epithelial-related conditions. These subjects were administered to continuous intravenous infusion of the medication using a portable pump. From the 26 observed patients who were placed under continuous observation, four realized full remission, another four showed a partial response to the therapy. From 12 of the patients, the disease remained stable. The response rate from the study was 33%. Twenty from the total number showed significant improvement as reflected from their overall quality of life and performance status after the therapy. The information showed a 9.5 months median survival. The study showed that continuing the infusion of 5-fluorouracil results in palliative value, from patients suffering from gastrointestinal or other neoplasma condition, related to epithelial origin. In administering the therapy, the usage of portable pumps makes the model cost effective and a pra ctical outpatient model of treatment for these patients. This paper is an audit report of 5 fluorouracil (5FU) pumps as used on gastro-intestinal patients, accounting for the information given to patients and the areas of information deficiency when administering the therapy (Cascinu et al., 1999). Background information on the use of 5 fluorouracil (5FU) pumps The service evaluation was instigated by the Forever Healthy cancer support, which is a cancer support agency operating in the US and also extending its supports services and information provision to many other different regions across the world. The reasons for undertaking the service evaluation included the information gaps evident in the usage of the model, despite the fact that the area has been studied extensively. An example of the deficiencies in information includes that communicated to the patients as well as the team administering this therapy. Some of the areas of information deficiency include the lack of knowledg e on how to control the side effects resulting from the therapy. For instance, an overdose of 5-FU results in severe side effects such as neutropenia, diarrhea, and hand/foot syndrome. On the other hand, a low dosage of the medication does not produce any results or therapeutic effect. Further, there is a possibility of individual therapeutic balance existing between the benefits and the side effects expected. As a result, based on understanding of the expected benefits and the effects of this therapy on the users, the organization saw that there is a need to offer more information to the patients. Based on the better information, they will make better decision and more logical choices when using the service, as opposed to the current use – which may be affected by the lack of comprehensive information. Based on the information delivered to the users, more information on the individual-based application of the therapy, as well as the benefit-threats balance, more areas of inf ormation will be uncovered, leading to better results from the therapy. For instance, more information on the usage of the administered dosage depending on the body characteristics of the patients will be of great importance to the usage of the therapy.