Promoting Health and Recovery: Daily Care for Leukemia Patients

2024-07-03

Leukemia treatment often involves prolonged medical intervention, where precise and effective diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Equally important is the scientific and meticulous daily care that patients receive. Due to compromised immune function, leukemia patients are susceptible to infections at various stages of treatment. Such infections can delay optimal treatment timing, increase patient suffering, and place a heavier financial burden on families.

To ensure that patients can safely and comfortably undergo treatment and achieve early recovery, it is vital to emphasize and enhance daily care in several areas, including environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, nutrition, and rehabilitation exercises. This article provides a comprehensive guide to daily care for leukemia patients.

Environmental Sanitation: Maintaining a clean environment is critical for leukemia patients. Here are key points to consider:

Avoid keeping plants or pets.
Refrain from using carpets.
Eliminate any hygiene blind spots.
Keep the room dry.
Minimize visits to public places.
Ensure warmth and avoid contact with people who have infectious diseases.

Room Disinfection: Daily disinfection of the room is necessary using chlorine-containing disinfectant (500mg/L concentration) for floors, surfaces, beds, door handles, phones, etc. Focus on areas the patient frequently touches. Disinfect for 15 minutes, then wipe with clean water.

Air Disinfection: Ultraviolet (UV) light should be used once daily for 30 minutes. Start timing 5 minutes after turning on the UV light. Open drawers and cabinet doors, close windows and doors, and ensure the patient leaves the room. If bedridden, use UV protection for eyes and skin.

Clothing and Towel Disinfection:

Clean clothes with laundry detergent.
Soak in 500mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant for 30 minutes; use Dettol for dark clothes.
Rinse thoroughly and air dry.
Separate outdoor and indoor clothing.

Hand Disinfection:

Wash hands with soap and running water (use warm water in cold weather).
Use hand sanitizer if necessary.
Disinfect with 75% alcohol.

Proper Timing for Handwashing:

Before and after meals.
Before and after using the bathroom.
Before taking medication.
After contact with bodily fluids.
After cleaning activities.
After handling money.
After outdoor activities.
Before holding a baby.
After contact with infectious materials.

Comprehensive Care: Oral Care: Regular cleaning and use of appropriate oral hygiene products. Nasal Care: Daily nasal cleaning, use saline for allergies, and moisturize if dry. Eye Care: Avoid touching the face without clean hands, wear protective eyewear, and use prescribed eye drops. Perineal and Perianal Care: Clean thoroughly after bathroom use, use iodine solution for sitz baths, and apply ointments to prevent infection.

Dietary Care: Diet Planning:

Consume high-protein, high-vitamin, low-fat, low-cholesterol foods.
Avoid leftovers and raw foods if white blood cell count is below 1x10^9/L.
Avoid pickled, smoked, and spicy foods.
Adults should drink at least 2000ml of water daily unless restricted.

Food Disinfection:

Heat food for 5 minutes in the hospital.
Use double-bagged methods for cookie disinfection in a microwave for 2 minutes.

Proper Use of Masks:

Prefer N95 masks.
Ensure mask quality and hygiene.
Limit mask-wearing time for young children and choose appropriate sizes.

Exercise Based on Blood Count: Platelets:

Rest in bed if platelets are below 10x10^9/L.
Perform bed exercises if between 10x10^9/L and 20x10^9/L.
Engage in light outdoor activities if above 50x10^9/L, adjusting activity based on individual health status.

White Blood Cells:

Patients can engage in outdoor activities two months post-transplant if white blood cell count is above 3x10^9/L.

Signs of Potential Infection: Report to medical staff if the following symptoms occur:

Fever above 37.5°C.
Chills or shivering.
Cough, runny nose, or sore throat.
Burning sensation during urination.
Diarrhea more than twice a day.
Redness, swelling, or pain in the perineal area.
Skin or injection site redness or swelling.

Following these guidelines can help leukemia patients minimize infection risks and support their recovery journey. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice and adhere to medical recommendations for the best outcomes.