Innovations in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) provide hope for patients while creating challenges for their health care providers. Nurses play an integral role in providing patients with clear explanations, setting treatment expectations, and empowering them to be actively in their care decisions.
The AA&MDSIF Nursing Modules have been designed to provide a convenient, comprehensive summary of MDS disease basics, treatment options, quality of life issues, and patient education and support. Each nursing module includes an audio presentation by an oncology nurse with extensive experience treating MDS patients, along with slides and a reference bibliography. Links to related resources are also provided. A competency test and evaluation will be required to earn a certificate of completion.
Module I: Overview of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
This module provides a comprehensive review of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including:
- MDS etiology etiology: The cause or origin of a disease. /epidemiology
- MDS pathology – presentation, disease overlap, diagnostic evaluation (laboratory indices, bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. findings, cytogenetics cytogenetics: (sie-toe-juh-NEH-tiks) The study of chromosomes (DNA), the part of the cell that contains genetic information. Some cytogenetic abnormalities are linked to different forms of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). )
- MDS classification – FAB/WHO, IPSS, IPSS-R
- MDS prognostic classification
Faculty: Joan M. Latsko, DNP, FNP-BC, AOCNP, Innovative Wellness Solutions, Pittsburgh, PA
Module II: Treatment Options and Goals of Therapy for MDS
This program reviews the treatment options for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and the goals of therapy for MDS patients, including:
- Treatment options for low-risk MDS – observation, EPO, lenalidomide lenalidomide: Lenalidomide is a capsule that is taken by mouth. It is approved for treating low-risk, transfusion-dependent myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients with an abnormality of chromosome 5q. It is currently in clinical trials to test its efficacy with a broader range of MDS patients. For some MDS… , immune suppression, iron chelation iron chelation: Iron chelation therapy is the main treatment used when you have a condition called iron overload. Iron overload means you have too much iron in your body. This can be a problem for people who get lots of red blood cell transfusions. Basics Red blood cells contain iron. Each time you get a…
- Treatment options for high-risk MDS – azacitidine azacitidine: It works by reducing the amount of methylation in the body. Methylation is a process that acts like a switch to turn off or “silence” genes in certain cells. When these genes (called tumor suppressor genes) are turned off, MDS cells and cancer cells can grow freely. Azacitidine is approved by the U… , decitabine decitabine: It works by reducing the amount of methylation in the body. Methylation is a process that acts like a switch to turn off or “silence” genes in certain cells. When these genes (called tumor suppressor genes) are turned off, MDS cells and cancer cells can grow freely. Decitabine is approved by the U… , allo-HSCT, clinical trials clinical trials: Clinical research is at the heart of all medical advances, identifying new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. If you have a bone marrow failure disease, you may want to consider taking part in a clinical trial, also called a research study. Understanding Clinical Trials Clinical…
- MDS treatment goals – individualized therapy, minimal toxicity, improvement of blood counts, transfusion independence transfusion independence: No longer needing any type of blood transfusion. , delay of leukemic transformation, improved survival, quality of life
Faculty: Cindy Benoit RN, BSN, OCN, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
Module III: Quality of Life with Myelodysplastic Syndromes
This program reviews the quality of life (QOL) considerations for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including:
- Review of common elements of the concept of QOL
- Review of various research instruments for measuring QOL
- Domains included in QOL measurements (symptoms, side effects)
- Nursing interventions that may improve QOL for MDS patients
Faculty: Sara Tinsley MS, ARNP, AOCN, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
Module IV: Role of the Nurse in MDS Patient and Caregiver Education
This program reviews the role of the nurse in educating patients and caregivers about myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including:
- MDS disease state education – resources, provider/patient communication
- Management of side effects: myelosuppression, gastrointestinal, dermatological
- Treatment adherence – factors affecting adherence, guidelines for treatment expectations, role of health care provider
Faculty: Joan M. Latsko, DNP, FNP-BC, AOCNP, Innovative Wellness Solutions, Pittsburgh, PA
Module V: Living Well with MDS
This program reviews the ways nurses can help patients adjust to living well with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including:
- Adjusting to the “new normal” of living with MDS
- Strategies to help MDS patients with physical and mental aspects of disease
- MDS patient self-advocacy – building a health care team, preparing for office visits, keeping track of health records and treatment, building a personal support team
Faculty: Joan M. Latsko, DNP, FNP-BC, AOCNP, Innovative Wellness Solutions, Pittsburgh, PA
Accreditation
These modules have been approved for contact hours by the Alabama State Nurses Association Approval Committee and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. See each module for number of contact hours and activity identification.
Statement of Disclosure and Independence
The Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation ensures this sponsored educational activity was planned, developed, and conducted in accordance with the ASNA/AANP/ANCC standards and guidelines. All potential conflicts of interest were resolved prior to the activity, content was developed and will be presented free of commercial bias, and is in the interest of promoting improvements or quality healthcare. All individuals who are in a position to influence and/or control content are required to disclose to the participants any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the activity. The educational content is also reviewed for independence, balance, objectivity, commercial bias, and content validation by an independent external clinical reviewer. Independence is also monitored through the activity and overall program evaluation process. The peer reviewer, staff, and other individuals who control content have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.