Hospital Care for Children with Cancer
Pediatric cancer care professionals assemble under POGO’s leadership to advocate for resources and to develop programs and practice guidelines which enhance the care of children with cancer at hospitals across Ontario.
Advocating for Increased Staff Funding:
POGO’s advice to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on the staffing requirements at the pediatric cancer hospitals has generated significant response. Since 1998, POGO has catalyzed approximately $51 million of new funding from the Ministry to increase the numbers of physicians, nurses, and allied health staff available to care for children with cancer.
Standards & Guidelines
In addition to continually updating the standards and guidelines for the Provincial Pediatric Oncology Satellite Program and the AfterCare Clinics, POGO periodically works on the development of other standards and guidelines designed to improve care for children with cancer.
Recently, for example, POGO has:
- Developed guidelines for the safe handling of chemotherapy drugs by hospital staff and parents
- Updated POGO guidelines for the management of central venous lines – devices which facilitate the delivery of chemotherapy – to help reduce infection risk and, thereby, minimize the trauma of treatment for the children
Technology Upgrades:
POGO secured funding to implement a technical program, Easy Pax, through the hospital network, to facilitate the exchange of clinical images among the pediatric cancer treatment facilities, to support treatment decisions, and reduce repeat imaging and testing.
