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Due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), diabetes services have been disrupted, causing difficulties for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and understanding their experience could help improve diabetes care. Therefore, we used a qualitative interpretive description to explore the experience of self-care of adults with T2DM during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed theoretically. The sample ( N = 30) was composed of 7 females and 23 males, with a mean age of 69.9 years (60–77) and 19.4 mean years (3–40) of people living with T2DM. Our findings show reduced physical activity and increased smoking and alcohol consumption affected that self-care. Increased food consumption and stress eating, with greater stress and anxiety, caused worsening of glycemic values. Participants were able to contact healthcare professionals via eHealth or telephone. Others, even those with complications, were not able to receive care or advice. These results suggest that easier contact with health providers, continuous engagement, eHealth solutions, and formal peer support could help self-care in T2DM. Advanced nursing roles and services could solve many issues reported in this study during and after the pandemic.

In hemoglobinopathy-prone regions, like the Middle East, thalassemia is the most prevalent noncommunicable life-threatening disorder of children and is highly curable by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Moreover, transplantation is very cost-effective, and HSCT programs can be established directly in middle-income countries (MICs) at a reduced cost while maintaining quality standards and outcomes consistent with international ones. The aim of the present study was to review and verify the efficacy of the applied methodology through the analysis of 47 consecutive matched-related HSCTs in children with thalassemia. In 2016, the first HSCT unit for adults and children with both malignant and nonmalignant diseases was developed in Iraqi Kurdistan, thanks to a capacity building project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. Data on clinical activity were obtained from a cohort of patients treated in the newly established HSCT unit. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and thalassemia-free survival (TFS). Startup of the HSCT unit was completed over a 3-year period. Assessing and meeting minimum requirements were crucial for the startup; moreover, a team of international health care professionals (HCPs), all experts in the field of HSCT, conducted the education and training phase, involving all the clinical and nonclinical professionals in the program. At a median follow-up of 2.6 years, the 3-year TFS and OS were 82.8% (SE, 5.5%) and 87.1% (SE, 4.9%), respectively. TFS and graft-versus-host-disease-free composite survival was 80.6% (SE, 5.8%). At present, the HSCT service is completely autonomous, and more than 250 transplants have been done in both adults and children. The minimal essential requirements for an HSCT startup may be affordable in many MICs. Our results for thalassemia are comparable with international data. A twinning program with an international group of experts and a capacity-building approach is crucial for the success of the program, a strategy that allows for rapid development of HSCT units.

Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors may experience various forms of social difficulties years or even decades after completing their cancer treatments. This article will hopefully help the Italian national project dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer promoting political and legal solutions to stop discrimination and supporting the right to be forgotten.

Infections are frequently experienced complications for patients undergoing haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). To assess current infection prevention strategies, an international survey among HCT nurses was conducted by the Nurses Group and IDWP of the EBMT. Nurse representatives from all EBMT transplant centres were invited to complete an online questionnaire on protective environment in adult and paediatric HCT units. A total of 141 complete questionnaires were returned for the isolation section and 26 for the paediatric section, the majority of respondents (89.4%) being nurses. A small number of centres (7.1%) reported not allowing visitors, the rest have rules for entering patient rooms. Most HCT units (99.3%) indicated that nurses play a critical role in infection prevention and measures differed between bacterial infections and viral infections. Many of the paediatric units (57.7%) had a play area, applying rules of entry. To our knowledge, this is the first survey on protective environment directed at nurses within HCT centres. Despite having different practices, most HCT units tend to decrease isolation procedures and the use of PPE for multi-drug resistant organisms. This must concur with an increase of hand hygiene compliance, for which our data show that there is still room for improvement.

This study aimed to describe and compare, at a national level, the measures implemented in the pediatric onco-hematology units and the number of infections among patients and healthcare staff during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. A multicenter, descriptive, online survey was conducted between15th March and 15th April 2020 (T1) and between 1 and 31st January 2021 (T2). All the Italian Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Association (AIEOP) centers were invited to participate in the study. Data of the pre-pandemic, first, and second phase were compared. Thirty-six of the 48 AIEOP centers completed the survey (75%). Several organizational, screening, and swab measures were implemented by AIEOP centers to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients and visitors. During the pandemic, there was a significant reduction in the number of onco-hematology inpatient beds (p

Publisher Copyright: © 2020, The Author(s). Severe blood disorders and cancer are the leading cause of death and disability from noncommunicable diseases in the global pediatric population and a major financial burden. The most frequent of these conditions, namely sickle cell disease and severe thalassemia, are highly curable by blood or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) which can restore a normal health-related quality of life and be cost-effective. This position paper summarizes critical issues in extending global access to BMT based on ground experience in the start-up of several BMT units in middle-income countries (MICs) across South-East Asia and the Middle East where close to 700 allogeneic BMTs have been performed over a 10-year period. Basic requirements in terms of support systems, equipment, and consumables are summarized keeping in mind WHO’s model essential lists and recommendations. BMT unit setup and maintenance costs are summarized as well as those per transplant. Low-risk BMT is feasible and safe in MICs with outcomes comparable to high-income countries but at a fraction of the cost. This report might be of assistance to health care institutions in MICs interested in developing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation services and strengthening context appropriate tertiary care and higher medical education.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a global health emergency. Health systems are under extreme pressure because of the outbreak. Pediatric population seems to be less prone to develop a severe course of the disease. Still the information about COVID-19 infection and children affected by cancer are few. This survey aims to highlight preventive and control measures to manage COVID-19 infection in Italian Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Association (AIEOP) centers. Procedure: A multicentre, descriptive survey design was used. All the AIEOP centers were invited to complete an on-line survey. Data collection was performed between March 15, 2020 and April 15, 2020. Results: Thirty six out of 48 centers responded to the survey. All the centers implemented similar preventive measures in order to control the COVID-19 spread and 77.8% of centers have created structured pathways, specific protocols or procedures; 30% of centers reduced the number of inpatient beds and 90% outpatient activity. The prevalence data collected report 14 children positive and 35 healthcare professionals positive. Conclusion: COVID-19 is not spreading homogeneously in Italy and children are less infected. However, all the AIEOP centers showed preparedness and response actions to control the infection and to protect their own fragile patients. Patients and staff safety were maintained; services and clinical activities were sometimes adapted. It will be necessary to define new processes and new strategies to ensure safety and continuity of care to children affected by cancer, even in the future, when the lockdown will end, and new measures will be implemented.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to understand the experiences of living with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) from the perspective of community-living older adults with MCC.DesignA qualitative study using an interpretive description approach.SettingParticipants were recruited from southern Ontario, Canada.Participants21 community-living, older adults (≥65 years) with an average of 7.4 chronic conditions including one of diabetes, dementia or stroke.MethodsData were collected through digitally-recorded, in-depth, semi-structured in-person interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed and coded using Thorne’s interpretive description approach.ResultsFive themes were identified representing older adults' experiences of living with MCC: (a) trying to stay healthy while living with MCC, (b) depending on family caregivers for support with just about everything, (c) paying the high costs of living with MCC, (d) making healthcare decisions by proxy and (e) receiving healthcare services that do not address the complex needs of persons living with MCC.ConclusionsThe experience of living with MCC in the community was complex and multi-faceted. The need for a person-centred and family-centred approach to care in the community, which includes the coordination of health and social services that are tailored to the needs of older adults and their informal caregivers, was underscored. Such an approach would facilitate improved information-sharing and discussion of care management options between health professionals and their patients, enable older adults with MCC to actively engage in priority-setting and decision-making and may result in improved health and quality of life for older adults with MCC.

Aim To describe the nursing capacity-building process within the foundation of a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) centre at the Hiwa Cancer Hospital (HCH), Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, referring to nursing education, empowerment and leadership. Methods 1) Capacity building, the process by which individuals, organisations, institutions and societies develop abilities to perform functions, solve problems and set and achieve objectives, was implemented; 2) Nurse intervention was based exclusively on training and coaching on site, which is an innovative approach, since more often experts are brought to the centre to train people on site; 3) Nurses' personal skills, knowledge and training needs in the field at the HSCT centre were preliminarily explored through an online survey, and intervention was also addressed considering personal preferences and challenges; 4) Clinical documentation implementation and nursing professional organisation improvements were developed. Results/findings 1) up to June 2018, 98 patients have been transplanted (69 autologous + 29 allogeneic graft). The centre at the HCH represents the first in Kurdistan and the only centre carrying out allogeneic transplants in the whole of Iraq; 2) twenty-two staff nurses; three nurses in charge and one head nurse are employed in the HSCT centre. Nurses currently have good capability to manage daily care for patients in the HSCT centre. There are still training needs to be addressed; 3) and 4) implementation of organigram, job description and nursing plans. The situation, background, assessment, recommendation method for nursing handover was introduced. Nursing shifts duration was changed. Conclusion/implications for nursing Capacity building cooperation is a powerful means to successfully establish a high technology medical programme, and is a feasible method to enhance skills and expertise even in low resources contexts. The programme is still in progress and consolidating actions are still required. Nurses need to enforce professional leadership and work organisation. The HSCT centre local team needs to improve teamwork and shared decision making.

The start-up of new HSCT centers in low-middle income countries (LMIC) has received little attention, due to a lack of local resources and expertise,1 despite a high frequency of malignant and non-malignant conditions, such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease, requiring transplantation. As a result, many patients are forced to go abroad when a transplant is needed, with major problems for their families and the governments.

We describe the entire process leading to the start-up of a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation center at the Hiwa Cancer Hospital, in the city of Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Iraqi Region. This capacity building project was funded by the Italian Development Cooperation Agency and implemented with the support of the volunteer work of Italian professionals, either physicians, nurses, biologists and technicians. The intervention started in April 2016, was based exclusively on training and coaching on site, that represent a significant innovative approach, and led to a first autologous transplant in June 2016 and to the first allogeneic transplant in October. At the time of reporting, 9 months from the initiation of the project, 18 patients have been transplanted, 15 with an autologous and 3 with an allogeneic graft. The center at the HCH represents the first transplantation center in Kurdistan and the second in wide Iraq. We conclude that international development cooperation may play an important role also in the field of high-technology medicine, and contribute to improved local centers capabilities through country to country scientific exchanges. The methodology to realize this project is innovative, since HSCT experts are brought as volunteers to the center(s) to be started, while traditionally it is the opposite, i.e. the local professionals to be trained are brought to the specialized center(s).

Introduction: Blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) programs are largely insufficient to meet the growing need in MICs. Where BMT is not available families, charities or governments often seek for alternative programs, usually to send children abroad for BMT; this policy is associated with many drawbacks, including costs, and difficulties to manage transplant related complications after the patient return home. Evaluation of feasibility and sustainability plays a crucial role in the success of all cooperative projects but especially of high specialization ones. Materials and methods: In 2016 the first HSCTU inclusive of a pediatric section was developed in Iraqi Kurdistan at Hiwa Cancer Hospital of Sulaymaniah, thanks to a cooperative project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and to the availability of professionals from specialized centers to train local personnel. After verifying with an appropriate grid that essential requirements were in place, a capacity building project was started. An intensive educational course was carried on initially and then, using a training on the job approach, all specific skills were set-up and/or implemented. A complete protocol handbook was created with involvement of the local staff; a staggered approach to the disease was chosen, starting from low risk diseases and moving later to high risk ones. After 3 years project the center is now completely autonomous; up to now they have been performed 158 transplants (autologous and allogeneic, both in adult and children) with results comparable with those of high-income countries (HICs). In a cohort of 26 pediatric patients with thalassemia the event free survival (EFS) is over 90% with a median follow up of 492 days. Next to this experience, in 2018 a new project has been activated in Paraguay, following a specific request from the pediatric hospital Ninos de Acosta Nu in Asuncion. The similar methodology has been applied. After documenting the feasibility, a 3 years project has been set-up, with an initial intensive educational course, followed by training on the job by experts in the field and also limited training of the local staff abroad. A six months continuously oversight by experienced nurses and periodically by expert physicians has been planned along with the continuous support through on line contacts; focused training in Europe on minimal residual disease, chimerism, apheresis and HLA typing has been scheduled. The first allogeneic transplant from matched sibling donor is planned in autumn 2019. Discussion: Based on our experience new centers should start with patients highly curable, low-risk matched sibling transplants, well-established context-appropriate protocols with minimal toxicity, proven high success rates and contained costs. If socio-economical context of the country and needs of the population allow to move to oncological patients, a staggered approach is suggested: from matched sibling donor transplant to mismatched ones. Minimal essential requirements for a pediatric BMT start-up activity may be affordable in many MICs, if health authorities and/or local charities/foundations are committed. This shall include good quality blood products (leuco-reduced or irradiated); drugs for conditioning regimens (busulphan, tiothepa, fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, melphalan), GVHD prophylaxis and treatment (methotrexate, thymoglobuline, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil), infections control (broad spectrum antibiotics, one anti-mold drug, ganciclovir) and essential laboratory tests (at least cyclosporin levels and citomegalovirus copies count). Conclusion: The strategy described above requires the availability of expert BMT physicians and nurses willing to rotate periodically in MICs Units for training on the job and supervision. This model is replicable in different contexts, allows a fast development of BMT units in MICs, and in our opinion compares favorably with that of offering training to multiple professionals in specialized centers. Figure Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.