Exploring a Multidisciplinary Approach to Preventing and Managing Extravasation: A Quality Improvement Project

BACKGROUND: Extravasation is a serious but preventable complication of systemic anticancer therapy. Nurses are critical in administering chemotherapy, which highlights the importance of proper education and evidence-based protocols to reduce adverse events. This quality improvement project was initiated due to an increase in extravasation incidents at a daycare chemotherapy unit at a quaternary cancer center in Oman. OBJECTIVES: The goal was to reduce extravasation events using the Plan-Do-Check-Act model by addressing four clinical practice gaps. After implementing targeted interventions, the rate of extravasation incidents decreased significantly, with metrics monitored over a 6-month postintervention period. METHODS: Data were collected from the hospital’s incident reporting system and key performance indicators from May to October 2023. A comprehensive set of risk reduction strategies was developed through a collaborative multidisciplinary approach, leading to more effective interventions. RESULTS: The extravasation rate dropped from 2.5 cases per 10,000 infusions in the preintervention period (September 2023 to March 2024) to 0 cases per 10,000 infusions postintervention (April to October 2024). In addition, nurses’ knowledge of preventing and managing extravasation improved. CONCLUSION: Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach and evidence-based practices effectively reduces extravasation rates in the oncology infusion area.