Oral Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) clinic

Implementation of a Nurse-Led Oral Systemic Anti-Cancer
Therapy (SACT) clinic for Enhanced Patient Care: Peninsula Health

Oral SACT offers patients a targeted and effective treatment option with less clinic visits, a different side effect profile and the ability for patients to have more control over their therapy. While this may be a more attractive option, oral therapies are often quite complex. Some regimens have a complex administration schedule, others have high pill burdens and require daily dosing and strict compliance. Additionally, oral SACTs can lead to significant side effects that require patients to proactively self-manage at home. This puts a great deal of responsibility on the patient and caregiver for maintaining appropriate therapy and addressing side effects as they arise.

The aim is to improve the management, compliance, safety, coordination, and consumer experience of patients receiving oral SACT at PH by establishing nurse-led clinics. The project provides comprehensive patient education and supportive care screening, referrals, partnering with primary health GPs and community pharmacists, and promotes effective management of treatment-related side effects, enhancing patient outcomes and consumer satisfaction while reducing emergency department presentations.

All patients scheduled for oral SACT will receive comprehensive education, medication reconciliation by a designated oncology pharmacist and supportive care screening through the implementation of a nurse led oral SACT clinic. The introduction of a set of standardised assessment tools and educational materials for communication with primary healthcare providers will streamline current procedures. This includes assessment, follow-up, compliance monitoring, and coordination of oral scripts and better management of side effects relating to oral SACT