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Bedside physical therapy project to prevent deconditioning in hospitalized patients with cancer.(LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT)
- Article from:
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Oncology Nursing Forum
- Article date:
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May 1, 2008
- Author:
- Crannell, Courtney E.; Stone, Elizabeth
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Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2008 Oncology Nursing Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The hematology-oncology unit at Christiana Care Health System has 51 beds, including a 6-bed bone marrow transplant unit. Patients are older than 18 years and usually are admitted to receive chemotherapy or to address complications related to their disease. Lengths of stay range from a few days to several months, depending on each patient's condition. Nursing staff on the unit noticed that patients with longer hospitalizations often experienced physical deconditioning, which resulted in longer hospitalizations, more falls, decreased patient satisfaction, and escalating costs for patients and the healthcare facility.
Deconditioning in patients with cancer is a common issue ...