2.4 Advanced Satellite Practice

POGO recognizes the continuous evolution of the level of care of the satellite centres. Since the advent of the program, the number of satellite centres and the expertise of the health care professionals on site has significantly developed. In particular, there are multiple nurses at each site with APHON certification. There are also sites that now have fully trained pediatric oncologists staffing their clinics. It is conceivable, that these centres may in the future welcome the opportunity to offer their patients and families services not currently defined within the scope of what is considered ‘standard’ satellite care.

Framework:

• Institutional senior management commitment to development of an advanced/optimal satellite program
  • Two trained pediatric oncologists, or potentially one pediatric oncologist and one nurse practitioner with specific training in pediatric oncology with protection of a proportion of their clinical time for oncology practice.
  • APHON certified nurses
  • Inpatient nursing skills appropriate to pediatric oncology
    • Care of central lines and supportive care
  • Pharmacy commitment
  • Multidisciplinary inter-professional team

Satellites that meet the above criteria wishing to add an ‘advanced’ feature to their programs must first obtain the support of their local clinical, nursing and pharmacy leadership. The satellite team must then make a formal request to the POGO Senior Clinical Program Manager and Medical Director for consideration. POGO will then be charged with striking an ad hoc panel of stakeholders to evaluate the proposal. Panel members may include oncologists, nurses and pharmacists from both satellites and tertiary centres and also specialists such as radiology or infectious disease experts, depending on the proposed activities.

If the new proposed activity is deemed appropriate by the panel, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be developed and posted as part of the Satellite Manual for reference. The SOP must contain a plan to allow for continuous assurance of quality and suitability. Of note, an approved ‘out of scope’ activity at one satellite would be approved at that particular satellite only. Other satellites wishing to add the same or similar activity their offered services must undergo the same review process. Newly created activities will be reviewed as part of the regular satellite manual review process for consideration of addition to the ‘standard’ satellite scope.