Increasing Compliance in BMT Patients by Creating a Patient Education Binder

Abstract

Newly diagnosed cancer patients with hematological disorders such as leukemia and lymphomas are for the most part diagnosed and quickly initiated on treatment. Information is constantly thrown at the patient from the moment he or she is diagnosed, often without being absorbed by the patient. These patients usually are initiated on chemotherapy and if warranted are headed to transplant. The patient education binder will allow the patient to collect all the information regarding disease and treatment in an organized manner divided into pertinent sections. Recognizing this is a stressful time, the binder will serve as a tool to ease anxiety. The binder will be started during the patient's initial diagnosis and follow the patient to end of recovery. The binder will contain useful information, which can assist patients during treatment. The nurses caring for the patient will review the material with the patient, checking off each section of the binder; thus nurses will be aware of any material needing reinforcement. Prior to initiating patient education, a small group of nurses were explained purpose of binder, division of binder, and checklist teachings. A small sample of newly diagnosed AML patients and transplant patients were chosen, and the binder was initiated at the beginning of treatment. A survey was conducted after patient was discharged regarding effect of the binder during patient’s stay. Outpatient nurses were also explained the purpose of the binder and importance of having the patient bring the binder to each visit. At this time no current patient education binders exist in the institution. There are other institutions where patient education binders are currently being used. Outcome measurement is easing of anxiety, compliance, and patient understanding of illness, medications, and treatment, assessed post discharge with a patient survey. Creating this binder could ultimately set forth a trend where all hospitals create a patient education binder to ease patient anxiety and increase compliance. Nurses and collaborative physicians can work together to ensure patient is compliant with binder, increasing patient education.