Safety and cost-effectiveness of paclitaxel administered as a 1-hour infusion versus a 3-hour infusion for various malignancies

J Infus Nurs. 2004 Jul-Aug;27(4):251-3. doi: 10.1097/00129804-200407000-00010.

Abstract

This study challenges the current practice of administering paclitaxel for a variety of malignancies over 3 hours and documents the safety and cost-effectiveness of 1-hour administration in the outpatient setting. The authors investigated opportunities to save nursing time and costs in a cancer clinic without compromising patient safety. These savings are referred to as "opportunity-cost savings" that enable the clinic to schedule more patients during the time normally required to administer a 3-hour paclitaxel dose. Over a 2-year period, the authors were able to document significant time savings with no increase in adverse drug reactions.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Female
  • Health Care Costs*
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage*
  • Paclitaxel / economics
  • Safety*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Paclitaxel