A new Hickman App for children with cancer was launched at the Annual National Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Programme meeting at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, with over 170 delegates working in the area of paediatric care attending. The meeting took place on Friday 21 November 2014 at 9.30am at the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley and was sponsored by the Irish Cancer Society.
The key note lecture was delivered by Professor Karina Butler, Consultant Paediatrician & Paediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin entitled “Germ Warfare in PaediatricHaematology/Oncology. The meeting will include agenda topics in Haematology/Oncology
The meeting which is held annually aims to deliver further educationand inform healthcare professionals of new developments in Paediatric Haematology Oncology and is also used a networking opportunity.
Approximately 170 children are diagnosed with cancer in Ireland every year. These children are referred to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC) to have their diagnosis established and treatment planned and delivered. As 60 per cent of these patients live outside the Dublin catchment area, the National Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Programme is supported by 16 shared care paediatric units across Ireland.
The new HICKMAN app is designed by the haematology/oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist team in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC) as a resource for parents and staff caring for a child with a Hickman line. The team in the haematology/oncology unit have been teaching parents how to care for their child’s Hickman line for many years using specially adapted dolls and providing written guidelines. This new app brings teaching to a modern age of technology. The app contains written information and video demonstrations, with sections on Practical information on using Hickman catheter, Troubleshooting, Procedures on Hickman catheter care, taking blood and Cytarabine administration.
The app is available free of charge at the app store.
ENDS
