| DIALOG/PROGRESS NOTE TEXT |
The VA-Oncology Symptom Assessment Scale (VSAS) is a tool for
Anorexia = loss of appetite<br>
Nausea = sickness at the stomach<br>
Vomiting = to eject part or all of the contents of the stomach through the
mouth<br>
Diarrhea = excessive and frequent evacuation of watery feces<br>
Constipation = difficult, incomplete, or infrequent bowel evacuation<br>
Shortness of breath (SOB) at rest = difficult/labored breathing while
at rest<br>
Shortness of breath (SOB) with exertion = difficult/labored breathing that
is out of proportion to the level of physical activity<br>
documentation of symptoms in Veterans with cancer.
Drowsiness = feeling sleepy<br>
Depression = feeling sad<br>
Anxiety = feeling nervous<br>
Distress = feeling uneasy<br>
Other<br>
To use the tool, check the box for a symptom to expand the section and
enter the score (0 to 10) for that symptom. Any symptom not checked is
not included in the note and not required. A score must be entered for
any symptom checked to be able to complete and sign the template.
The pain score entered in VSAS will appear as a pain score in the vital
signs. Thus, VSAS can be used as an alternative means of entering the
pain score.
Please see the VSAS User's Guide for suggestions on integration into
clinical care.
The tool uses a 10-point symptom scale (0 = absent and 10 = worst
possible) for assessment of:
Pain = an unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of
severity<br>
Tiredness/fatigue = lack of energy<br>
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