Review of advanced practice nurse role in infection throughout the hematopoietic stem cell transplant journey

Background: Prolonged periods of immunosuppression during hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) can result in serious infectious complications and contribute to transplant-related morbidity and mortality. Adherence to standardized pre and postinfection screening guidelines, prescribed medications, and early identification of infectious symptoms through comprehensive patient and family education are crucial to minimizing infectious complications. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are key members of the multidisciplinary care team in the HSCT specialty, maintaining a specialized skillset and scope of practice which includes a holistic based, preventative medicine and risk mitigation approach.

Methods: This review sought to describe the role of the APN in HSCT care and to further examine existing APN led models of care which focus on infection prevention and education throughout the HSCT treatment journey.

Results: No studies specifically examined the APN role in infectious diseases risk assessment, screening, and management throughout the HSCT journey were identified throughout our review, however, there was considerable evidence to demonstrate the benefits of APN led care in the oncology and solid organ transplantation specialty which led to improvements in continuity of care, overall patient outcomes, and multidisciplinary team collaboration. The key themes identified in our review, were the role of the APN in the delivery of comprehensive patient and family education, the role of the APN in supporting, mentoring, and educating junior medical and nursing teams, the collaboration between the APN and the multidisciplinary care team, and the role of the APN in prompt recognition, triage, and management of treatment related complications, such as infection.