Adherence to low molecular weight heparin treatment by patients with cancer who develop VTE
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Adherence to low molecular weight heparin treatment by patients with cancer who develop VTE

Celia Diez de los Rios de la Serna Macmillan advanced nurse practitioner, Medical Oncology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, England
Alison Richardson Clinical professor in cancer nursing and end of life care, University of Southampton Faculty of Health Sciences, England
Elaine Lennan Nurse consultant, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, England

Patients with cancer who are diagnosed with venous thromboembolism (VTE) are managed with low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin), an established treatment. Those with incidental VTE are generally stable and can be treated as outpatients, and their knowledge and ability to self-administer injections contributes to treatment adherence. However, the limited, or absence of, signs and symptoms associated with incidental VTE can affect adherence. This article reports the results of an audit that examined patients’ understanding of VTE, and the information they receive from healthcare professionals to support self-management. The audit found there is a difference in adherence between patients with incidental VTE and those who have symptomatic events. Results demonstrate the need for written information and a clear management pathway.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 16, 4, 21-26. doi: 10.7748/cnp.2017.e1379

Correspondence

Celia.Diezdelosriosdelaserna@uhs.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 17 November 2016

Accepted: 10 March 2017

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