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Biomedical subjects

S G Simms

Publications and source records attributed to S G Simms.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Nurses' perceptions of antiemetic effectiveness.

PURPOSES: To determine which antiemetics are being used with ondansetron (Zofran, Cerenex Pharmaceuticals, Research Triangle Park, NC) for patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy, identify the more frequently administered antiemetic regimens, and ascertain nurses' perceptions of the effectiveness of these regimens. DESIGN: Descriptive survey. SETTING: Continental United States. SAMPLE: A random sample (N = 962) of Oncology Nursing Society members who designate themselves as practicing in the area of chemotherapy. METHODS: The Antiemetic Drug(s)/Drug Combination(s) Inventory, an open-ended questionnaire soliciting information on first- and second-line antiemetic regimens for emetogenic chemotherapy protocols, was mailed to 5,950 oncology nurses. Descriptive statistics and nondistributive analysis were used to analyze the data. FINDINGS: Ondansetron was used in 7 of 10 antiemetic regimens, which accounted for 50% of the most frequently used regimens. Nurses rated first-line antiemetic combinations as highly effective. Ondansetron alone was ranked as the seventh most effective first-line antiemetic for cisplatin protocols and fifth for noncisplatin protocols. Nurses noted limitations of ondansetron use, which included delayed nausea and vomiting and the drug's high cost. CONCLUSIONS: Study participants indicated that a variety of drugs were used in antiemetic regimens. Ondansetron use has improved the control of post-chemotherapy nausea, vomiting, and retching. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Antiemetics are administered regularly in the hospital and home to decrease chemotherapy-related nausea, vomiting, and retching. Managing these side-effects requires superior assessment skills and extensive knowledge of pharmacologic actions. Patient and family education on antiemetics is essential in light of increased administration of outpatient chemotherapy.

Antiemetics↗
PubMed1993

Cancer control knowledge and priorities among primary care physicians.

Primary care physicians can play a key role in prevention and early detection of cancer. To assess cancer control knowledge and priorities among primary care physicians in Missouri, we conducted a random survey of 207 physicians. Although reported knowledge of the role tobacco plays in cancer causation was high, activity in tobacco cessation counselling and referral was low. Respondents considered diet to be a relatively unimportant factor in cancer causation, whereas they viewed sun exposure, genetics/family history, and radiation exposure as large contributors to the cancer burden. Among cancer early detection tests, high activity was shown for the Pap test and breast examination. Conversely, low activity was reported for colon sigmoidoscopy. Inverse correlations were shown between age group of the physician and several cancer prevention and early detection practices. For each cancer prevention and screening practice, reported activity was higher for medical doctors than for doctors of osteopathic medicine. Possible barriers or controversies in cancer control included disagreement with the current recommendation for Pap testing, the cost of mammography, and patient fear of sigmoidoscopy. These findings suggest that primary care physicians are not achieving their full potential in cancer control and indicate areas where increased emphasis is warranted.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1990

Efforts in primary-care practice to control tobacco use.

In this article, the authors findings lead them to conclude that because of the devastating effects of smoking on health, the public could experience widespread health benefits if primary care physicians became more active in encouraging patients to stop smoking.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed1990

Cancer control and public health in Missouri: a time for action.

National reports on cancer mortality now show that most cancer deaths are preventable. The recent national focus on prevention of such chronic diseases may indicate that public health departments need to consider a shift in emphasis from infectious to chronic disease control.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of prochlorperazine and lorazepam antiemetic regimens in the control of postchemotherapy symptoms.

This randomized, double-blind crossover study was undertaken to compare the antiemetic effectiveness of intravenous prochlorperazine (Compazine) and lorazepam (Ativan) in the management of postchemotherapy symptoms during two initial cycles of therapy. Each patient received at least one treatment as an outpatient. Data from the 24 patients receiving noncisplatin therapy who completed the crossover study were evaluated for antiemetic efficacy and total posttherapy symptom experience. Although results indicated no statistically significant difference between regimens in the control of posttherapy nausea and vomiting, these side effects were completely controlled in 26 of the 48 study treatment cycles. Lorazepam significantly reduced total posttherapy symptom experience by decreasing patients' experience of fatigue and pain. Findings support the value of lorazepam in antiemetic regimens and point to the need for further examination of antiemetic combinations.

Adult↗