Breakfast Sessions

Friday 25 July 2014

 Breakfast Session 1

Title: The Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Implementation Experience

Time: 0715 - 0815

Presenter: Kate Baychek, Clinical Nurse Educator, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse

Description:

Kate Baychek is a Clinical Nurse Educator in Day Therapy at the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse centre in Sydney NSW.

Lifehouse is a new purpose-built, comprehensive cancer care centre, the first of its kind in NSW and recently opened in November 2013. The vision of Lifehouse is to provide uncompromising care to patients, housing all of the cancer services under one roof.  The first phase included the Day Therapy Centre, Clinics, Radiation Oncology and Medical Imaging departments. The second phase to be opened by the end of 2014 will include theatres, wards and an Intensive Care Unit.

In the pledge to provide uncompromising care to patients, the care of staff is a high priority as is the utilisation of evidence-based practice. In choosing the equipment for use in the Day Therapy Centre, implementing a closed system was a priority for the protection of staff and to comply with the NSW WorkCover guidelines.  The Nurse Unit Manager chose the Hospira CLAVE™ Oncology needlefree closed system for the nursing staff to use in the delivery of antineoplastic agents.  Kate Baychek will share with you the Lifehouse experience of implementing the Hospira CLAVE Oncology closed system.

Breakfast Session 2 

Title: Optimising supportive care in immuno-oncology: The VOYCE nurses network

Time: 0715 - 0815

Presenter: TBC

Description:

YERVOY (ipilimumab) is an immuno-oncologic agent which harnesses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.^1,2 It is the first therapy to show durable long-term survival benefit in advanced melanoma patients; however, treatment can be associated with immune-related adverse reactions (irARs).^1,2

Cancer nurses are a valuable source of information and support for patients on YERVOY. They are involved in administering YERVOY, monitoring responses, and play a vital role in early detection of irARs. Even seemingly mild irARs may rapidly worsen and become life threatening. Early detection is key to successful management of irARs.

The VOYCE (yerVOY Clinical nEtwork) nurses network is designed to aid cancer nurses in supporting patients on YERVOY. The program can assist nurses in educating patients on YERVOY using peer-to-peer engagement and sharing of best practice.

The VOYCE breakfast meeting will feature a panel discussion with nurses who have extensive experience in managing patients with advanced melanoma on YERVOY. Cancer nurses will have the opportunity to participate in interactive case studies, interact with existing members of the network, make new connections and experience the network in action.

References: 

1. Bristol-Myers Squibb. YERVOY Approved Product Information, 31 July 2013.
2. Hodi FS et al. N Engl J Med 2010:363(8):711–23.