Oral Chemotherapy Laboratory Monitoring and Follow-Up: A Review of the Literature.

Abstract

There are many inefficiencies related to oral chemotherapy (OC) laboratory monitoring and follow-up in the ambulatory clinic setting. Patients with cancer prescribed OC have a higher risk of adverse events when there is inconsistent laboratory test result reporting and follow-up from their oncology provider. The aim of this article is to improve OC laboratory monitoring by identifying potential barriers and opportunities for reliable communication between patients and providers in the outpatient clinical setting. A literature review found 76 articles, of which 15 were selected for review. Six themes were synthesized and discussed. Healthcare systems use technology, standard pathways, and clear patient-provider communication following laboratory testing to ensure patient safety. Implementing and testing evidence-based solutions and structured frameworks to identify gaps in outpatient laboratory monitoring and follow-up can improve patient satisfaction and safety during OC treatment.