Lacking Policy, Education, and a Plan to Support Bispecific T-Cell Engager Therapy: Nursing-Led Change at an Academic Medical Center.

BACKGROUND

Many large cancer centers have implemented new policies and procedures to manage patients receiving bispecific T-cell engager (BTCE) therapy.

OBJECTIVES

A midsize academic center expanded its hematology service, and the institution gained the capacity to offer BTCE therapy and related treatments to patients with a broad range of cancer diagnoses.

METHODS

The commencement of the BTCE therapy program required nurses to develop expertise in a new specialized treatment option with differing side effects. The team used a multidisciplinary nursing-led approach to understand and implement programs to support the success of BTCE therapy. Prior to this, collaboration and communication among providers, pharmacists, and nurses were lacking, which led to miscommunication and a lack of standardization of processes.

FINDINGS: This collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, which included all key stakeholders, demonstrated that effective nurse leadership can promote a culture of excellence.