APHON Week in Review

To oncology nurses, from a seasoned patient

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

Cancer survivor Karen Diamond writes: "I don't have a degree in medicine. I have not taken the rigorous classes you have taken. I cannot start an IV, take a pulse, identify a rash, or properly dress a wound. I have my degree in English. That means I can point out grammatical errors on restaurant menus, but measuring medicine into a vial hurts my brain. I'm not trying to offer medical how-tos. Instead, I'm offering one patient's perspective from the other side of the thermometer, the stethoscope, the hospital gown."

Identifying the social needs of young people with cancer

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

Research reports adolescents and young adults with cancer may be at higher risk for social isolation and that a substantial proportion of them have unmet social needs that could adversely affect their health.

30 years later, child fights same rare cancer dad had

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

A big part of parenting is teaching children through lessons you learned as a kid, but for one man, it's a battle with cancer that's coming back around. Lucas Post was cured of a rare childhood cancer, called "Wilms' Tumor," about 31 years ago. Now, the couple’s 4-year-old is facing the same fight.

CDI on the rise in pediatric patients

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

The incidence of Clostridium difficileinfectionhas been trending upward in hospitalized pediatric patients in recent years and is often associated with greater morbidity, according to study findings published online.

Nursing staff ratios directly impact pediatric hospital readmissions

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

There is a direct link between nursing staff ratios and hospital readmissions for children with common medical and surgical conditions, according to a new study in the online journal BMJ Quality and Safety in Health Care.

National clinical trial for incurable children's cancer launched

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

The first national clinical trial ever approved to study all incurable children's cancers is underway at Van Andel Institute.

T-cell therapy eradicates aggressive leukemia in 2 children

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

Two children with an aggressive form of childhood leukemia had a complete remission of their disease after treatment with a novel cell therapy that reprogrammed their immune cells to rapidly multiply and destroy leukemia cells.

Experimental leukemia therapy showing success among children

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

The seventh child to receive an experimental leukemia therapy at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia got good news recently: It worked.

Is hemophilia hereditary?

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

A cascade of proteins that interact with each other in very specific ways is needed for normal blood clotting, which is what stops bleeding. Hemophilia is a condition where there is an insufficient amount of one of these proteins, hence hemophiliacs have abnormal bleeding.

Pediatrics: Observation often as expensive as inpatient care

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

Although it might be assumed that hospitalizations that take place under observational status are usually shorter in duration and consume fewer healthcare resources than those that take place under inpatient status, until now that issue has not been studied in a large cohort of pediatric patients.

Sickle Cell: Better care brings lower bacteremia risk

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

Changes in clinical practice during the last 30 years appear to have reduced the risk that febrile children with sickle cell disease will develop bacteremia, according to an article published in Pediatrics. The study results suggest febrile children with SCD can be managed as outpatients after blood is taken for bacterial testing and antibiotics are administered and if no other reasons call for hospital admission.

Angelina Jolie, genetic testing and the ACA

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

Dr. Otis Brawley, the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, is on the record with a quick post on Angelina Jolie's startling announcement in a New York Times op-ed that she has had a prophylactic double mastectomy to cut her inherited risk of breast cancer. Jolie found through genetic testing that she carries the BRCA1 gene. Brawley, who has been an outspoken critic of overtesting, answers many important questions that Jolie's decision raises. Should all women have the genetic test? No, says Brawley, but they should all have a conversation with their doctors.

Increased cranial radiation linked to cognitive impairment in childhood ALL survivors

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

Adult survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia who underwent treatment with 24 Gy of cranial radiation therapy were at increased risk for cognitive impairment, according to study results.

Registration is open

15 May 2013 12:04:44 CDT

End-of-Life Nursing Education Pediatric Palliative Care Course
June 10-11 in Chicago

As pediatric hematology/oncology nurses, we work with many patients who, despite the ever-improving cure rates, will lose their battles with their life-threatening conditions. The Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses is presenting a two-day course discussing end-of-life care issues for children and their families.

Who Should Attend

Undergraduate and graduate pediatric nursing faculty

Continuing education providers and staff development educators working in pediatric settings

Hospice nurses

Home-care nurses

Advanced practice registered nurses/staff nurses working in pediatric acute-care settings (e.g., oncology, medical/surgical, palliative care, neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, clinics, etc.)

Other members of the pediatric interdisciplinary team, with the understanding that the curriculum is written by nurses for nurses