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How Can We Improve Control of Chemo-Induced Nausea and Vomiting?
In a survey supported by POGO, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting was identified as one of the top concerns of parents of children receiving chemotherapy. The antiemetic aprepitant—a relatively new and effective drug used to prevent these distressing side-effects in patients receiving chemotherapy—is only available in capsule format in Canada, so children who cannot swallow capsules cannot benefit from this medicine in its current form.
When a liquid form of a drug is not commercially available, pharmacists often manipulate dosage forms that are made for adults so that children can take those drugs. They do this by breaking up capsules or crushing tablets to make a liquid formula that children can swallow. This is called extemporaneous compounding. Some drugs become unstable as soon as you mix them with a liquid. In other words, they degrade so rapidly that the liquid forms are not useful; others might get absorbed into the bloodstream too quickly or not at all. Ideally when a pharmacist makes an extemporaneous compound, they use a formula or a recipe which has been studied so we know the drug’s stability. Even better is to understand how the extemporaneous liquid formulation is absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream compared to the original tablet or capsule made by the pharmaceutical manufacturer.
In 2016, POGO awarded Dr. Priya Patel, RPh, PharmD, a MSc student with a Clinician Scholar Fellowship for her project: Relative Bioavailability of an Extemporaneous Oral Suspension of Aprepitant in Healthy Adult Volunteers. Priya, her supervisor Dr. Lee Dupuis, and their co-investigators Dr. Paul Nathan, Ms. Sue Zupanec, Ms. Jocelyne Volpe and Mr. Scott Walker, will be studying a liquid form of aprepitant designed for use in pediatric cancer patients to determine how well it is absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream compared to the original capsule. This study will either give the current “recipe” a stamp of approval or help define what needs to be done to ensure that its performance is comparable to what we see in patients who are able to take a capsule format.
POGO is recognized as a world leader with regards to the topic of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children. In addition to supporting research studies like Priya’s and creating new evidence around the topic, POGO leads in the development of clinical practice guidelines* to help physicians make informed decisions to optimize control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting for their pediatric patients. Until recently there were no clinical practice guidelines that focused on children for this purpose.
It’s all about creating new evidence-based information so it can be incorporated into the current practice guidelines and then implementing those guidelines so that children don’t experience nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy. We are trying to get better at that.
*Endorsed by the Children’s Oncology Group, the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research.
From Community to Tertiary Hospital, POGO Satellite Manual Helps Ensure Equitable Care
Sylvie Kozlowskyj is the Pediatric Oncology Satellite Nurse Coordinator in the POGO Pediatric Oncology Satellite Clinic at the Northeast Cancer Centre, Health Sciences North, Sudbury. She shares her insights on the importance to her practice of the POGO Satellite Manual. POGO Satellite Clinics are located in seven Ontario communities and provide some aspects of a child’s cancer care closer to home.
Q. How does the Satellite Manual impact patient care?
Sylvie: The POGO Satellite Manual directs Satellites in the day-to-day care of our patients/families by providing clear, best-practice documents in such areas as chemotherapy delivery, management of supportive care issues and palliative care. It guides health care professionals (HCPs), ensuring that families who are eligible for some of their care in the Satellite setting can safely receive high-quality care in their community comparable to that received in tertiary hospitals. The POGO Satellite Manual is a great tool for both for in-patient units and outpatient clinics.
Q. What difference does the Satellite Manual make in your job?
Sylvie: The Northeast Cancer Centre uses the POGO Satellite Manual as a reference in the development of our hospital guidelines, standards of care, and policies and procedures. The Manual also provides standard communication tools that can be downloaded for use between Satellites and tertiary centres so that all required information is shared between institutions in a timely, organized manner. Again, this facilitates the seamless, comprehensive delivery of services to our patients. The Manual also includes tools for Satellites to use in their annual report to POGO. This ensures that POGO receives the required data from the Satellites for its reporting to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, for data collection and research.
Q. What should families know about the necessity of the POGO Satellite Manual in the delivery of pediatric cancer care in the community?
Sylvie: The POGO Satellite Manual is an important tool that enables HCPs to keep pace with the rapidly advancing field of pediatric oncology. The content is regularly reviewed and updated in collaboration with HCPs in tertiary and Satellite centres to ensure that care in both settings is guided by the same principles. Families can be reassured that best-practice guidelines are being followed in their Satellite, much like in their tertiary centre, and that the standard of care is equivalent.
Q. How has the change from a binder and downloadable PDF to a web-based format improved the Satellite Manual?
Sylvie: This new format, including the removal of password protection, has made the information more accessible to HCPs in all settings, outpatient as well as in-patient. Physicians can now refer to the Manual from home, on any device, whenever they need to find information on a particular topic. The online Manual is easy to locate on the POGO website, user-friendly and the information is clear and well organized. This format also allows for easy updating of individual sections of the Manual.
Why I Volunteer by Emily Hamilton
I grew up with a volunteering mindset. My dad lost his sister to a brain tumour when they were young and he has always involved our whole family in fundraising for cancer organizations.
When I was in grade four, my sister and I were watching the Kentucky Derby (we’re both big horse people!) and there was a feature on a girl named Alex—she was battling cancer and decided to start her own lemonade stand to raise funds for pediatric oncology. We were immediately drawn to it. We thought, “Hey, why not try this at our school,” and over the course of two years we raised $300! After a bit of research online, we decided on POGO as our charity of choice and we were able to present a cheque to one of POGO’s founders, Dr. Mark Greenberg himself, which was really cool.
I continued to donate and follow POGO over the years, so when I received an email from the kinesiology department at school outlining an opportunity to join Team POGO for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, I jumped on it. It felt like destiny was bringing me back to the charity I started volunteering with at a young age.
I signed up to be a POGO Team Captain because I felt that my fundraising experience would give me an edge. Although $1,000 seems like a big number, we have several months to get to that goal. Erika, our POGO contact, is very helpful and motivating. She sends us weekly emails with stories that make us feel connected to the cause and coaches us on how to get the word out and raise money. A lot of students wouldn’t know how to go about it if they haven’t fundraised before.
I have never run a marathon but I am passionate about athletics. My university friends are also coming on board and we have a bit of a competition going. Of course if anyone wants to join our team, please sign up here; the more the merrier! You can run the full or half marathon or even just the 5K. All funds raised will go to support POGO and the work they do for kids with cancer.
I can see myself continuing to volunteer with POGO beyond the race. I love the values of the organization—that they support the whole family when a child is affected by cancer and they continue to support survivors later in life. The scope of what POGO does is so broad, I feel like the reasons I am committed to the cause today will change and grow as I learn more about everything they do.
Emily Hamilton is 22 years old. She recently graduated from The School of Kinesiology at Western University in London, Ontario and is working part-time in a physiotherapy clinic.
2017 Satellite Education Day
The 2017 POGO Satellite Education Day – Over 90 pediatric oncologists, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals gathered to enhance their knowledge of clinical issues common to paediatric cancer patients and learn new strategies to improve care for this unique patient population.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PROGRAM
Scroll down to view individual presentations.
NOTE: The content of each presentation below captures the unedited information and opinions presented by the speakers. Please note that the information contained in the presentations was current at the time it was presented – there may be further information in subsequent literature. Listed speaker credentials were current at the time of presentation.
Outpatient Fever & Neutropenia Protocol Use in the Satellite Centres: Benefits and Challenges
Angela Punnett, MD; Charmaine van Schaik, HBSc, MSc, MD, FRCPC
Clinical Trials and Adverse Effects in the Satellite Setting: Toxicity Grading, OCREB, and More
Sarah Alexander, MD; Paul Gibson, MD, FRCPC
Strategies for Optimizing Community Resources to Address Mental Health Issues
Jane Cassano, MSW, RSW; Danielle Cataudella, PsyD, CPsych
More Smiles, Fewer Tears: Adaptable Child Life Strategies to Improve the Patient Experience
Ruth Cull (Molly Penny), Therapeutic Clown; Alexandra Frankel, BSc, CLSt Dipl, CCLS; Todd Wharton, CRPO, OATA, CACPT
Hands-On Training for Inpatient Staff: Central Line Care and How to Access Ports
Patti Bambury, RN, BScN; Monica Kaczycki, RN, CPHON; Kaniska Young Tai, BScN, RN, CPHON
Quick Hit-Brentuximab: A New Treatment Approach for Hodgkin Lymphoma
Serina Patel, MD, FRCPC
Quick Hit-Approach to Immunization in Off Therapy Patients
Jeffrey Pernica, MD, FRCPC, DTMH
Quick Hit-Dasatinib and High Risk ALL
Vicky Breakey, BSc, MD, MEd, FRCPC
Quick Hit-CAR-T / Blinotumomab
Sue Zupanec, MN, NP-Pediatrics
Behavioural versus Pharmacological Interventions to Treat Anxiety and Depression – When to Prescribe What?
Nina C Muriel, MD, MPH
Cannabis Use – What Do Satellite Practitioners Need to Know?
Michael Verbora, MBA, MD, CCFP
Outpatient Fever & Neutropenia Protocol Use in the Satellite Centres: Benefits and Challenges
Presentation Description: A comprehensive review of outpatient management for fever and neutropenia: the criteria, current guidelines and application to date. The discussion will include the experiences at The Hospital for Sick Children, as well as the considerations and implications for use of this treatment plan in the satellite setting.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PRESENTATION
Speaker Bios:
Angela Punnett, MD, FRCPC
Staff Oncologist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON
Angela Punnett is a pediatric oncologist in the Leukemia/Lymphoma section at SickKids. She is also the Director of Undergraduate Medical Education for Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and is active in postgraduate subspecialty medical education, continuing education and faculty development.
Charmaine van Schaik, HBSc, MSc, MD, FRCPC
Chief of Pediatrics, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, ON
After completing her undergraduate medical and specialty training at McMaster University in 2000, Charmaine van Schaik relocated to York Region and currently holds the position of Active Staff, Chief of Paediatrics, Director of the POGO Satellite Clinic at Southlake Regional Health Centre. Additional degrees include an Honors Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from McMaster University. She has a lecturer appointment with University of Toronto, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine as well as Associate Staff with the Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University. Over the years, she has been a member of the Injury Prevention Committee for the Canadian Pediatric Society, an ethics facilitator and member of the Ethics Committee at Southlake Regional Health Centre, as well as a member of the Physicians Council and Board of Directors of Southlake’s Foundation. She is actively involved in various committees at POGO, together with being a member of the Development Cabinet and Board of Directors. Her career interests are directed towards her passion for pediatric oncology and her community interests in pediatric injury prevention. Furthermore, as a mother, her interests extend beyond the hat she wears as a physician and advocate.