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Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) occurs when metastatic disease causes vertebral collapse or compression of the spinal cord or when a tumour extends into the epidural space. It is an oncological emergency which will cause paralysis if left untreated. It is crucial that acute hospital staff recognise ‘red flag’ signs and symptoms of MSCC and adhere to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on MSCC recognition and management. In 2019, a serious untoward incident involving a patient with confirmed MSCC was reported at an acute trust in England. This prompted the acute oncology team to examine the management of patients with MSCC at the hospital. A poster and mnemonic highlighting the main NICE recommendations were developed and distributed to all acute wards and areas. This article describes how that resource was developed and how the acute oncology team assessed its effects by conducting a two-phase retrospective and prospective audit. Cancer Nursing Practice. doi: 10.7748/cnp.2022.e1823 Sophie Needham, Acute oncology clinical nurse specialist, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, Southport, England Julie Marshall Acute oncology clinical nurse specialist, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, Southport, England (Needham S, Marshall J (2022) Metastatic spinal cord compression: a poster and mnemonic supporting acute hospital staff to deliver optimal patient care. Cancer Nursing Practice. doi: 10.7748/cnp.2022.e1823) |
Malignant spinal cord compressionAbstract- Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a potentially devastating consequence of cancer. Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of MSCC can allow diagnosis prior to the development of irreversible complications. Information provision to patients and doctors regarding the risk of MSCC and a streamlined pathway for further investigation are both key to improving the outcome for patients developing this condition. Described in this paper is the development of such a pathway at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. (A Graham Macdonald, Daniel Lynch, Ian Garbett, Nauzan Nazeer - J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2019; 49: 151–6 | doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2019.217 REVIEW) |
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