Pediatric Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Instructor Course (002)

The APHON Pediatric Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Instructor Course is designed for any nurse who has completed the provider course and meets the qualifications to be trained to teach the course. This course provides general instruction in adult education, guidance in the planning of lectures based on the APHON program content, and instruction in administering the provider exam. Upon successful completion, nurses return to their institutions as recognized APHON Pediatric Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Instructors who are able to provide ongoing instruction and education to other registered nurses.

Practical Workings of a Pediatric and Adolescent Fertility Preservation Program, from Consults to Care Models (003)

In recent years, there has been increased emphasis on fertility preservation (FP) in pediatric hematology/oncology centers. The growing population of cancer patients and patients receiving hematopoietic cell transplants (HCTs) for nonmalignant diseases (e.g., sickle cell disease) has resulted in more patients expressing interest in FP information and interventions at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).

Do You Know Your Pronouns? Safe Zone Training and LGBTQ+ Inclusive Care (004)

Healthcare professionals are now interacting with more members of the LGBTQ+ community in their practices. How comfortable are you with engaging your patients and their families in conversations regarding sexuality and gender? Do you know and understand the current words and definitions used by the LGTBQ+ community?

The Three C's Challenge — Crucial and Compassionate Conversations (005)

Communication is an integral part of all nursing interactions. It is the way we give and receive information to guide patient care and decision-making and respond to difficult situations. Challenging and crucial conversations often happen when the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions are strong. When this occurs, we have an opportunity to engage compassionately with our patients and each other.

Translating Evidence into Practice: A Workshop Providing Mentorship, Collaboration, and Support to Assist in Implementation of EBP/QI Projects (006)

Evidence-based practice (EBP), quality improvement (QI), and research are fundamental to the nursing profession’s ability to remain relevant and up-to-date in an ever-changing and complex healthcare environment. The American Nurses Association (ANA) considers scholarly inquiry one of the essential features in the “advancement of professional nursing practice”.

Career Development Event (CDE)

Opening Keynote: Looking back and moving forward with Gratitude, Grit and Grace (101)

Administration and Management of Anti-GD2 Immunotherapy for High Risk Neuroblastoma in the Outpatient Setting (200)

Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, develops from neural crest cells that, typically, differentiate to form the sympathetic nervous system. Most neuroblastoma cases present as high-risk neuroblastoma, which has long been associated with high relapse rates and poor survival.

Joint Topic: Error Prevention — Decreasing CLABSI through inter-specialty nurse rounding (201-1)

Central lines are integral in the delivery of chemotherapy and supportive care for pediatric oncology patients. However, central lines are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised children. After a spike in central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in our hospital, our harm prevention department required weekly checks of every central line.

Joint Topic: Error Prevention — Tier Zero: Preventing Harm Before it Happens (201-2)

The care of the pediatric patient with cancer is complex. Patients are at increased risk of harm from falls, central line infections, thrombosis, and pressure injuries resulting from the treatment they receive. The Harm Prevention Program at our organization provides a structure and processes for identifying and reviewing patient harm events.

Joint Topic: Sickle Cell Old and New The ABC's of ACS (Acute Chest Syndrome) in Sickle Cell Disease (202-1)

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the second leading cause of hospitalization in children with sickle cell disease and is second only to admissions for vaso-occlusive crisis. ACS is also the most common cause of death in this patient population.

Joint Topic: Enhancing the way we manage sickle cell disease ... Finally (202-2)

Sickle cell disease (SCD) describes a group of inherited red blood cell disorders characterized by hemolytic anemia, frequent painful crises, infection, organ damage, and a shortened lifespan (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020).

The Impact of a Global Pandemic on Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses, Patients, and Families (203)

Since it was first discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has reached nearly every country in the world, causing a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that has placed undue stress on healthcare providers globally.

Paper Presentation: Parent/Caregiver Experience — It Can Be Hard But It's Not Bad': Documenting Caregiver Perceptions of Benefits/Burdens to Participating in Pediatric Palliative Care Research (204-1)

Documenting the benefits and burdens of pediatric palliative care research on children and their families could yield new knowledge relevant to study methods and allay uneasiness among clinicians and institutional review board members about pediatric palliative care research.

Paper Presentation: Parent/Caregiver Experience — An Exploration of Experiences with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Parents of Children with Cancer (204-2)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic that has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The uncertainty of COVID-19 may lead to significant mental health consequences for childhood cancer survivors and children experiencing cancer treatment, as well as their parents.

Paper Presentation: Parent/Caregiver Experience — A Systematic Review and Meta-Analytic Evaluation of Psychosocial Interventions in Parents of Children with Cancer: A Focus on Minority Outcomes (204-3)

Caring for Children on COG AML protocols: Quick Hits and Nursing Tips (C205)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the second most common form of leukemia in children, and the intensive therapy used to treat pediatric AML requires expert nursing knowledge.

“It’s my Body!”: Engaging Children and Adolescents Through Goals of Care Discussions on End of Life (206)

Childhood and adolescence are a time to navigate autonomy, yet our medical system looks to parents to make “official” decisions until children are 18 years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children and adolescents with life-limiting illnesses be provided an opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their care in a developmentally appropriate manner.

Joint Topic: Advanced Practice Provider Postgraduate Training Programs — Developing an Advanced Practice Provider Postgraduate Training Program for Pediatric Oncology Programs (207-1)

Advanced practice providers (APPs) are fundamental members of the pediatric oncology team, often acting as a continuous presence during the child’s treatment journey. With the rapid pace of treatment advances and an increase in the acuity of pediatric oncology patients, we know that generalized pediatric training does not adequately prepare us to care for children with cancer.

Joint Topic: Advanced Practice Provider Postgraduate Training Programs — Advanced Practice Provider Fellowships: The Path to Specialized Excellence (207-2)

The role of the advanced practice provider (APP) has been expanding for decades and is now essential in most healthcare organizations. The majority of APP programs are population-specific (e.g., pediatric, family, adult, geriatric), with very few programs that are specialized beyond primary versus acute care.

Infant ALL: A Review of Current Areas of Research Through 3 Case Studies (208)

Infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a rare, aggressive, and distinct subset of pediatric leukemia with a 6-year event-free survival rate of 46%. With only about 100 infants diagnosed with ALL per year in the United States, advances in the treatment of infant ALL require international collaboration.

APHON Wants You: Become an Advocate in 2021! (209)

Paper Presentation: Child/Adolescent Cancer Treatment Experience — Qualitative Content Analysis of Daily Journaling by Children with Cancer Using a Game-Based App (210-1)

The consequences of cancer persist beyond the clinical setting. Resources to assess the child’s quality of life and markers of well-being outside of the clinical setting can support a more personalized approach to care. Color Me Healthy is a new, game-based symptom assessment app that was co-designed by children with cancer and pediatric oncology clinicians.

Paper Presentation: Child/Adolescent Cancer Treatment Experience — Analysis of AYA Cancer Patient Priority Symptoms Using Text Mining Software (210-2)

The symptoms associated with cancer treatment are a major concern for the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. Understanding these distinct symptom experiences, especially AYAs' priority symptoms—those that take the forefront of a patient’s concern—can support healthcare providers in providing personalized care.

Paper Presentation: Child/Adolescent Cancer Treatment Experience — Do CSF Biomarkers Relate to Measures of Cognitive Function in Children During Maintenance Therapy for Leukemia? (210-3)

Children treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) receive central nervous system–directed chemotherapy, which is a known risk factor for cognitive dysfunction. ALL chemotherapy treatment is also associated with changes in biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, which may underlie changes in neurocognitive functioning.

Lighting the Way in COG with MATCH: Targeted Therapies in Pediatric CNS Tumors (C211)

Pediatric MATCH (Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice) is a joint effort between the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Children’s Oncology Group (COG) matching targeted therapies to specific tumor genomic sequencing in patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, brain tumors, and histiocytic disorders.

Joint Topic: Anticoagulation Therapy Anticoagulation Alphabet Soup: VKAs, LMWHs, and DOACs (214-1)

Treatment of thrombosis in pediatric patients presents many challenges. Thrombosis in pediatric patients has a wide range of etiologies, and researchers lack consensus about duration of therapy based on the thrombosis location and the presence of risk factors. Most patients under 18 years of age are treated with either parenteral low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs).

Joint Topic: Anticoagulation Therapy Medication Error Reduction Strategies (214-2)

An adverse event occurred at Boston Children’s Hospital involving anticoagulation workflows. This event led to a nurse-driven initiative to evaluate the current processes for patients on anticoagulation therapy.

Prevention of Oral Mucositis in Children and Adolescents Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell transplant Using Photobiomodulation Therapy (215)

Oral mucositis is a significant and common toxicity experienced by patients who receive high-dose chemotherapy as a preparatory regimen for a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Furthermore, oral mucositis has been reported as the single most debilitating side effect reported by patients undergoing HCT.

Paper Presentation: Supportive Care/Quality Improvement — Changes in CLABSI Rates Following Implementation of Antibacterial Prophylaxis for Children and Adolescents with High-Risk Hematologic Malignancies (216-1)

Paper Presentation: Supportive Care/Quality Improvement — Findings from an International Delphi-Study to Develop a Preliminary Core Set of Nursing-Sensitive Quality Indicators for Pediatric Oncology (216-2)

Although nursing-sensitive indicators (NSIs) have been developed to measure factors influencing nursing care quality and patient outcomes in general and in select specialty areas, a core set of NSIs for international pediatric oncology nursing practice does not exist.

Hot Topics in Pediatric Oncology: Updates from the Children’s Oncology Group (C217)

Improvements in patient care occur when new research findings are moved into practice. The average length of time for this translation, however, is 17 years. Within the past 3 years, the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) has produced 248 publications (about 83 per year).

It's a Mab Mab Mab Mab World (218)

Targeted cancer therapy with the use of monoclonal antibodies (MABs) is a promising and ever-growing field. The addition of MAB agents to pediatric treatment regimens for patients with hematologic and oncologic diseases has greatly improved outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Local Chapter Strategies-Shared Experiences to Shared Success (LCM)

The Local Chapter Committee liaisons and chapter leaders will convene to discuss topics that affect the functioning of local chapters, such as education, recruitment and retention, fundraising, and community service. Topics will be discussed in a round table manner and then presented to the whole group.

Joint Topic: AYA Health Transitions — Supporting Adolescent & Young Adult Early Survivors of Childhood Cancer Through Health Care Transitions (219-1)

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer face unique challenges as they transition from active cancer-directed therapy to early survivorship. Developmentally at this age, the autonomy and decision-making capacity of these patients increases, and their priorities shift to a focus on issues such as school, career, and relationships.

Joint Topic: AYA Health Transitions — The End of Treatment and Beyond: Integrating Components of Adolescent to Adult Healthcare Transition into Patient Care (219-2)

Survival rates for childhood cancer have greatly increased as a result of therapeutic advances. Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are a challenging and dynamic cohort that require innovative, supportive care to foster knowledge and skills related to their cancer and healthcare transition.

Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder: Managing the Complexities of the Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Patient (212)

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are recognized as one of the most devastating complications following solid organ transplantation. PTLD encompasses a wide range of clinical conditions—from benign lymphoproliferation to widespread malignancies with aggressive behavior. The development of PTLDs is driven by Epstein-Barr virus in the vast majority of pediatric PTLD cases.

Joint Topic: Developing Successful AYA and Oncofertility Programs Nuts & Bolts of Implementing an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program in the Pediatric Setting (213-1)

What have we learned over the last decade since the implementation of an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program? In this session, we will identify the unique needs of the AYA population and describe the evolving structure of our program to meet those needs.

Joint Topic: Rarer H/O Diagnoses — Clinical Pearls of Sirolimus Management for Vascular Anomalies (220-1)

Vascular anomalies are a group of disorders and are categorized as either vascular tumors or malformations. Vascular malformations can proliferate and expand, and have clinical sequelae such as chronic pain, disfigurement, infection, coagulopathy, impaired organ function, and decreased quality of life.

Joint Topic: Developing Successful AYA and Oncofertility Programs — An Oncofertility Program in Pediatric and AYA Cancer: Experiences Shared and Lessons Learned (213-2)

The provision of fertility preservation education for patients and families has become a standard of care in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult oncology care.

Joint Topic: Rarer H/O Diagnoses — Manifestations and Management of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (220-2)

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare multisystem disease that arises from the myeloid dendritic cells and often presents as common childhood ailments (Zinn, Grimes, Lin, Eckstein, Allen, & McClain, 2016). Histiocytes invade many different organ systems, including the lymph nodes, lungs, thymus, liver, spleen, bone marrow, and/or the central nervous system (McClain, 2019).

Infusing Innovation into Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology Nursing Practice and Research (221)

Innovation is “a continuous state of reimagining what is possible.” Innovation can conceptually also be referred to as “novelty, creativity, and change,” and can be used by nurses to improve practice environments, patient care, education, and research.

Paper Presentation: Long Term (or Chronic) Supportive Care — Fertility Status Assessment among Emerging Adult Cancer Survivors (222-1)

Cancer survivors with a history of gonadotoxic treatment are at risk for future infertility and experience significant fertility-related concerns and distress, yet the majority of these patients are unaware of their fertility status.

Paper Presentation: Long Term (or Chronic) Supportive Care — Individualized Pain Plans in Managing Pain in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease (222-2)

Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is the leading cause of hospital admissions in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Achieving the maximum opioid dose earlier in the admission is associated with shorter lengths of stays, allowing children suffering from SCD to spend less time in the hospital and decreasing their risk for depression and other long-term hospital-associated complications.

Paper Presentation: Long Term (or Chronic) Supportive Care — Long-term Anticoagulation in Children Utilizing Fondaparinux-A Single Pediatric Center Experience (222-3)

Fondaparinux is a synthetic, subcutaneously administered heparinoid that selectively inhibits activated factor X. Pediatric studies of fondaparinux have shown safety and efficacy profiles for the treatment of venous thromboembolism that was similar to standard pediatric anticoagulants.

Incorporating Children’s Oncology Group Health Links into Clinical Practice (C223)

The care of children with cancer spans diagnosis and treatment, with the goal being survivorship. Approximately 80% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive, and many childhood cancer survivors may experience both physical and psychological late effects secondary to their cancer or its treatment.

General Session: State of the Nursing Science: Accentuating the Positive: Pediatric Oncology Nurses' Experiences of Caring (102)

Pediatric oncology nurses are often asked, “How can you do this work—it must be so hard?” Although they acknowledge that the care of children and families is often emotionally draining, nurses express feeling gratitude for and finding meaning in their work and demonstrate the characteristics of resilience expressed by their patients and families.

APHON Pediatric Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Instructors (TH1)

Transplant (TH2)

Advance Practice Provider Issues (Except Billing!) (TH3)

Hematology (TH4)

Zone Training and LGBTQ+ Inclusive Care (TH5)

Palliative Care (TH6)

APHON After Dark Party — 45th Anniversary Celebration (OE1)

We are celebrating 45 years of APHON with a 70's twist — can you dig it?! Dress to impress and bring your groovy dance moves and style! We'll provide the music, lava lamps, light bites, and more. Let's not forget the party isn't a true APHON party without Karaoke. 

Space is limited and tickets will not be available on site.

Stopping the Flow: Management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Menstrual Concerns in Adolescent Females with Bleeding and Clotting Disorders (226)

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and dysmenorrhea are common complaints among adolescent females (O’Brien, 2018). For females with underlying bleeding and clotting disorders, managing their menstrual bleeding can provide challenges unique to their stages of life.

General Session: Promoting Resilience in Children with Cancer and their Families (103)

Pediatric cancer is highly stressful for both the child-patients and their families. We wondered if resilience – the process of harnessing resources to sustain well-being – could buffer the impact of pediatric cancer and, in turn, alleviate suffering and improve quality of life.

Promoting Resilience – Continuing the Discussion (TH7)

Boomers and Zoom-ers: Embracing Generational Differences in the Workforce (TH8)

COVID: What doesn’t break us makes us stronger (TH9)

Self-Care (TH10)

Integrative Therapy (TH11)

Medical Cannabis (TH12)

Navigating Ethics in Real World Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing Practice (224)

Ethical challenges are inherent in pediatric hematology/oncology. Nurses experience these challenging situations on a daily basis as they help patients and their families through life-changing situations. These situations often are more difficult to navigate than clinical care.

No Easy Target! What’s new in AML Therapy? (225)

Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex disease that accounts for approximately 25% of leukemia cases in children, and relapse rates remain high despite the advances in treating other types of leukemia.

Building Capacity Through Incorporation of Advanced Practice Nurses in Research: Benefits and Challenges Within a Longitudinal Multisite Study (227)

A blend of approaches, including cooperative groups, consortiums, and investigator-initiated trials at both single and multiple sites, is required to rapidly evolve symptom science and translate findings to clinical care. Advanced practice nurse (APN) education uniquely blends research, clinical care, and critical thinking skills.

Paper Presentation: Program Development — Nursing Practice Advocate: An Innovative Role Created to Reduce Harm While Supporting and Engaging Bedside Nursing Staff (228-1)

In 2019, inpatient pediatric hematology/oncology (PHO) and stem cell transplant (SCT) units within a children’s hospital experienced an increase in central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and mucosal barrier injury laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infections (MBI-LCBIs).

Paper Presentation: Program Development — When Two Become One: Joining Two Programs to Promote Family-Centered Care for Pediatric Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation (228-2)

Transplants often require families to be away from family and support networks for long periods of time. Patients are often acutely ill and require specialized care. Because of the complexity of treatment and the potential for complications, transplant is stressful and challenging for patients and their caregivers. To cope with this stress, many families rely on supportive systems, including family and friends.

Paper Presentation: Program Development — Building a Sustainable and Structured Continuing Education Program for Pediatric Oncology Nurses in Vietnam (228-3)

There is a lack of continuing education opportunities for oncology nurses at the 13 pediatric cancer treatment centers in Vietnam. This presentation will discuss how nurses from the United States, Singapore, and Vietnam collaborated to develop an in-country, web-based educational program utilizing a variety of virtual teaching strategies.

Clinical Trials in the Children’s Oncology Group: A Case Study Approach (C229)

Clinical trials are essential in the treatment of pediatric and young adult patients with cancer and have resulted in dramatic improvements in cure rates over the years. Because of clinical trials, we are now better able to understand the biology of different types of cancers affecting children and young adults and determine the best treatment options.

Perspectives on supporting schooling for children with cancer: Findings from two PCORI Engagement Projects (230)

Education is an important social determinant of health, and treatment for childhood cancers can result in long-term neurocognitive effects (deficits in processing speed, working memory, executive function, and attention), which are associated with reduced educational attainment, employment, and ability to live independently.

Germ Cell Tumors: Not All Created Equal (231)

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are not all created equal. The location of the tumor plays a huge role in the treatment course as well as the outcome. Malignant GCTs (MGCTs) account for about 3% of tumors in children younger than 15 years and about 15% in those age 15–29 years.

Joint Topic: Survivorship — Survivorship: Let's Not Be Lost in Transition (233-1)

Childhood cancer cure rates have dramatically improved over the last 30 years, reaching approximately 85% (Chow et al., 2020). In total, approximately two-thirds of children diagnosed with cancer annually will survive for more than 5 years after diagnosis (Chow et al., 2020). But cure comes at a cost.

Joint Topic: COVID/Team and Leadership Perspectives — Leading In a Time of Crisis- Lessons Learned From A Nurse Leader During a Pandemic (232-2)

When reflecting on 2020, we must consider that nurses never imagined going through a pandemic, nor did any leader anticipate how it would extend into our professional and personal lives.

Joint Topic: Survivorship — Taking the Survivorship Clinic Out of the Clinic: A multi-disciplinary clinic goes virtual (233-2)

Childhood cancer survivorship care is complex and often requires access to a multidisciplinary team. Signorelli et al. (2017) reported that survivors who are engaged in follow-up care have better health and educational outcomes.

Treating Smarter, Not Harder: Abandoning Intensification and Replacing with Immunotherapy for Patients with Down Syndrome and B-ALL (C234)

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a striking predisposition for developing acute leukemia, with a 40-fold increased risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) compared to non-DS patients (Wadhwa et al, 2017). Approximately 3% of children with ALL have DS, and these children have inferior outcomes and higher rates of treatment-related mortality (TRM) and are at greater risk of relapse (Buitenkamp et al., 2014).

Closing Keynote: Dream. Believe. Achieve! (104)

Joint Topic: COVID/Team and Leadership Perspectives — A Spike in Teamwork: Building Team Cohesiveness During a Pandemic (232-1)

Under normal circumstances, pediatric hematology/oncology nursing is a stressful environment. As COVID forced us to rethink how to care for patients, nurses also had to consider how we care for each other during a crisis that did not have a discernible endpoint.