Accreditation: Surveyors encourage Agency to "stay the course"

On June 19, the BC Cancer Agency received the forecast report from Accreditation Canada, and it was a credit to all of us: Accreditation without conditions.

“This is an extraordinary result for any organization in Canada, and even more so for BC Cancer Agency because the Qmentum process was so new,” says Brian Schmidt, interim president. “Everyone across the province contributed to this wonderful result. It was very clear that the Surveyors were very impressed with the standard of care at the BC Cancer Agency, and observed that the organization truly believes in ‘treating people, and not cancer.’

We were fully compliant with 505 standards and demonstrated the need for further development relative to only 3 standards:

• Completing allergy alerts
• Completing performance appraisals for all staff
• Testing all disaster and emergency codes regularly

“This is an extraordinary result for any organization in Canada, and even more so for BC Cancer Agency because the Qmentum process was so new,” says Brian Schmidt, interim president.
“I always use the BC Cancer Agency as an example of an organization that is doing things well,” said Bertha Paulse, a long-time Surveyor with Accreditation Canada at the debrief session in June.

Bertha was not the only Surveyor to be impressed with the Agency. One Surveyor commented that it was difficult to find areas for improvement, while others encouraged the Agency to “stay on course” and “keep up” the good work.

Some other comments from the Surveyors during the debrief session included:

• The Agency provides impressive clinical care with a strong patient focus
• Evaluation and/or research precedes all change
• Patients have nothing but good things to say about the care they receive at the Agency
• There is a collaborative, respectful approach to the delivery of evidence-based focused care
• Excellent integration of research with clinical programs

“The next Accreditation is four years from now,” says Sue Fuller-Blamey, director of Quality and Safety and Accreditation. “However, there are areas for improvement that we will continue to work on in the interim. We will routinely conduct audits of our ROPS, move ahead with quality improvement initiatives, and stay on top of any new ROPS or Accreditation requirements so we’re ready for the next visit in 2013.”

Advancing Strategic Direction #1
Sustain and advance the BC Cancer Agency's system of cancer control.

New Ambulatory Care Unit to open at the Fairmont Medical Building

The BC Cancer Agency is planning renovations to its Ambulatory Care Unit, currently located on the 2nd floor at the Vancouver Centre. As a result, during the month of July, a number of stations in the ACU will be moving to the 8th floor of the Fairmont Medical Building.

The new space will include 15 examination rooms and three distinct work areas and will support breast, lymphoma, and melanoma patients. In addition, the Clinical Trials Unit staff supporting breast and lymphoma patients will move to the 7th floor.

The renovations, to take place in the future, will improve the flow of patients and use exam room time more efficiently, as well as improve staff workplaces and team communication. “The renovations are necessary to bring the 2nd floor ACU up to date, in terms of technology and patient care,” says Lindy MacKinnon, clerical supervisor of the Systemic Therapy ACU.

As the first off site ACU, staff are facing minor challenges, mostly in terms of logistics. “We have to arrange everything as if we’re opening a free-standing care unit,” says Lindy. Supplies and charts need to be transferred over to the Fairmont Medical Building, and measures put in to place to ensure that staff have everything they need to care for their patients.

Currently, patients are being informed of the change in location by ACU staff. The phone number for the ACU appointment desk will remain the same to make the transition easier for patients. Volunteers will be available to escort patients to the Fairmont Medical Building should the need arise while patients become familiar with the change. If you have any questions about the move, please contact Lindy at 604.877.6098 ext. 2212, or lmackinn@bccancer.bc.ca  

Advancing Strategic Direction #1
Sustain and advance the BC Cancer Agency's system of cancer control.

Researchers find one in three billion spelling mistake in genetic code

Scientists from the Ovarian Cancer Research (OvCaRe) Program at BC Cancer Agency and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute have discovered that there appears to be a single spelling mistake in the genetic code of granulosa cell tumours, a rare and often untreatable form of ovarian cancer. This means that out of the three billion nucleotide pairs that make up the genetic code of the tumour, one – the same one in every tumour sample – is incorrect.

The discovery, published online June 10 in the New England Journal of Medicine, marks the beginning of a new era of cancer genomics, where the complete genetic sequence of cancers can be unravelled and the mutations that cause them exposed. For women with granulosa cell tumours it represents the first specific diagnostic tool and clear path to develop much needed treatments for this cancer.

The OvCaRe team decoded four tumour samples of the relatively rare granulosa cell tumour, which affects five percent of ovarian cancer patients. Using the new sequencing technology and bioinformatics, they discovered a single nucleotide located in the FOXL2 gene was mutated in every sample. The research team further validated their work by examining a large number of additional tumour samples from across Canada and around the world. They are satisfied they have been able to validate that this mutation is present in almost all granulosa cell tumours and not in unrelated cancers. Most types of cancers, including ovarian cancers, have a broad range of genetic abnormalities. This finding shows that granulosa cell tumours have a characteristic single DNA spelling mistake that can serve as an easy to read identity tag for this cancer type.

For the full story, please go to www.bccancer.bc.ca/ABCCA/NewsCentre/2009/granulosa.htm

Advancing Strategic Direction #2
Establish the knowledge generation and application model within the provincial cancer control platform. 

400 delegates attend 7th National Summit on Community Cancer Control 

Dr. Susan O’Reilly, vice-president, Cancer Care, BC Cancer Agency, co-emceed the recent 7th National Summit on Community Cancer Control for Rural, Remote and Aboriginal Communities, with colleague, Dr. Ronald Chapman, Executive Director, Northern Cancer Control Strategy.

“The combined BC Cancer Agency Professional Education Day and the 7th National Summit held from June 11 through 13 in Prince George, was an outstanding success for all those involved in organizing the meeting or presenting, and all those in attendance,” says Susan.

More than 400 delegates attended the Summit from across Canada and the U.S. – a record number for the national event, which is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies (CAPCA) and held every two or three years. Additional educational funders were: BC Cancer Agency, BC Cancer Foundation, Provincial Health Services Authority, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta Cancer Care organizations and CAPCA.

Cathy Ulrich, President and CEO of Northern Health was pleased that Northern Health was able to host this stimulating and worthwhile conference. “The Summit focus on building at the community level, while also learning from the global context resonated with most of the participants. We hope that the delegates learned as much during the conference as we did and found opportunity to enjoy all that Northern BC has to offer,” says Cathy. 

Ronald and Dan Le, Special Project Manager from Northern Health managed the Summit organizing team. “I believe we delivered a world class event in Prince George,” says Ronald. “Many delegates told me that the atmosphere at the conference was relaxing, friendly and that they were able to enjoy networking with other colleagues. In summary, the Summit was a great success. It has put Prince George on the map and helped to create awareness of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy in Canada.”

In all about 90 specialists made presentations. “The quality of the presentations, the opportunities to interact with colleagues from across Canada and the superb plenary sessions all contributed to an exceptional few days of learning and sharing both knowledge and companionship,” Susan continues. “The welcome was enthusiastic and warm from our Northern Health hosts, as well as from Initiatives Prince George, UNBC and The Research Universities Council of British Columbia, plus dozens of local businesses which supported the full, three-day meeting with complementary products and services.”

Dr. Simon Sutcliffe received the Terry Fox Medal from Dr. Nadine Caron, on behalf of the BC Medical Association. Judith Fox-Alder, Terry’s sister, attended and spoke at the Friday evening Terry Fox Award ceremony.

“Terry Fox's contribution to mankind has gone far beyond his lifetime,” said Simon. "The Terry Fox Award is recognition of commitment and achievement to cancer control within a ‘professional’ lifetime. I am proud and honoured to be associated with prior awardees and with the enduring legacy that this award represents.”

Advancing Strategic Direction #1
Sustain and advance the BC Cancer Agency's system of cancer control.

BC Cancer Agency’s Pap Awareness Week goes province-wide

To improve women’s access to cervical cancer screening, the BC Cancer Agency’s Cervical Screening Program in partnership with local clinics, expanded its Pap Awareness Week campaign across the province, using a thought-provoking campaign.

Take the iconic image of Sandro Botticelli’s “the Birth of Venus,” replace her with a hairy man whose moustache is flowing in the breeze and you have a striking image with a serious life-saving message. This is the image used for the BC Cancer Agency's Pap Awareness campaign this year. The theme of the campaign is "The World Needs Women."

“We’ve used a humourous image to get people thinking and talking about all the tremendous contributions women make to our world,” says Dr. Kathy Ceballos, acting Medical Leader for the BC Cancer Agency’s Cervical Cancer Screening Program. “Our campaign’s message is ‘the world needs women.’ We’re telling women that they’re important, and that regular Pap tests can save lives.”

Pap Awareness Week was piloted last year in the Lower Mainland, where more than 100 women had a Pap test at 12 partner clinics. Seventy-two percent of the women were either overdue for a Pap test or had never had one in the province. Building on last year’s success, Pap Awareness Week was offered at almost 100 clinics across the province this year, including 29 clinics in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver coastal communities from June 8 to 13.

Concurrently, movie goers will see a 15 second cinema ad called “Eye of the cervix” with the tag line "It doesn’t take long to prevent cervical cancer. Remember to have regular pap tests.”

For the full story, please go to: www.bccancer.bc.ca/ABCCA/NewsCentre/2009/papweekprovincewide.htm  

Advancing Strategic Direction #1
Sustain and advance the BC Cancer Agency's system of cancer control.

BC Cancer Foundation announces new President and CEO

The Board and staff of the BC Cancer Foundation are extremely pleased to welcome our new President & CEO, Douglas Nelson, who joined us on June 10.

Doug comes to us from the University of Alberta, where he was the chief development officer and associate vice-president, External Relations and led a major capital fundraising campaign that became the second largest of its kind in Canadian history.

Originally from Alberta, Doug completed graduate studies in education at the University of British Columbia, where he later returned to continue his fundraising career.

Doug is an experienced leader and communicator with a significant record of success raising funds for health research in two provinces over a period of more than ten years. He has maintained strong connections to the BC healthcare community and to the cancer cause and has closely followed the Foundation’s growth and development.

Doug will bring tremendous energy and strategic vision to the Foundation and is highly motivated by this opportunity to strengthen the Foundation’s support of the BC Cancer Agency as a world leader in cancer research and care.

“I’m really excited to join the BC Cancer Foundation,” Doug says. “Not only am I passionate about the cancer cause, I also believe very strongly in the work of the BC Cancer Agency and in the Foundation’s ability to support this work. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the coming weeks and months.”

The Foundation’s Interim CEO Pat Jacobsen will assist Doug during his transition and then will rejoin the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Please join us in welcoming Doug to the BC Cancer Foundation.

Contact the BC Cancer Foundation

Provincial Office:
604.877.6040
infobccf@bccancer.bc.ca  

Abbotsford:
Liz Harris
604.851.4736
lharris3@bccancer.bc.ca  

Fraser Valley:
Kate Ludlam
604.930.4083
kludlam@bccancer.bc.ca  

Southern Interior:
Cynthia Waldek-Peters
250.712.3910
cwaldekpeters@bccancer.bc.ca  

Vancouver Island:
Laura Walsh
250.519.5554
lwalsh@bccancer.bc.ca  

Vancouver:
Sharon Kennedy
604.877.6040
skennedy@bccancer.bc.ca  

Advancing Strategic Direction #4
Ensure we have the resources to achieve maximal organizational effectiveness.

Identifying challenges of rural cancer patients travelling for treatment

Researchers at the BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the Southern Interior and the University of BC in the Okanagan (UBC-O) recently completed a study exploring the commuting experiences of palliative care patients, who travel from rural communities to receive care at the cancer centre.

Fifteen patients and their family caregivers were interviewed and data was collected regarding palliative needs using standardized tools. The study found that many patients and their family caregivers faced significant financial, emotional and physical burden when travelling for care.

“There hasn’t been a lot of research in this area,” says Sandra Broughton, regional operations leader for the Centre for the Southern Interior, and study co-investigator. This is a novel study in that it includes the perspectives of both patients and family caregivers. “The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the demands associated with commuting for palliative care so we can improve the quality of care we provide to our patients.”

The research showed that preparing for a visit involved significant planning, and often patients' symptoms were exacerberated while on the road. Poorly managed pain was a problem for many, but the survey showed patients were reluctant to ask for  help. This was also true about financial concerns. But, the trips also provided an intimate opportunity for patients and caregivers to connect with each other. Many made the best of the commute by incorporating more pleasant activities while on the road.

“While more research needs to be conducted, we can offer some tips that may be helpful for both health care professionals and patients,” says Carole Robinson, principal investigator, and Associate Professor, UBC-O School of Nursing. “For instance, symptom assessment and intervention that is specifically focused on the commuting period is likely to be helpful. As well, grouping and consistent timing of appointments, which minimize the number and duration of trips, is important.”

Once at the centre, patients and caregivers rated their treatment and care experiences very highly, including the support from volunteers. Patients appreciated the cheerfulness and kindness of volunteers. In fact, volunteers at the centre played an important role in recruiting patients and caregivers for the study.

Funding for the study came from the BC Cancer Foundation, Southern Interior. In addition to Sandra and Carole, the research team included: Joan Bottorff, professor, UBC-O School of Nursing; Barb Pesut, assistant professor, UBC-O School of Nursing; Gillian Fyles, Pain & Symptom Management and Palliative Care, Centre for the Southern Interior; Sharon Lockie, master of science (nursing) student; and Maurine Kahlke and Trisha Kostesky, research assistants.

For more information about the study, please contact Sandra Broughton at sbroughton@bccancer.bc.ca or Carole Robinson at carole.robinson@ubc.ca  

Advancing Strategic Direction #2
Establish the knowlege generation and application model within the provincial cancer control platform.

Newsmakers

Using an innovative strategy to help recruit radiation therapists for the Centre for the North – scheduled for completion in 2012 – the BC Cancer Agency’s Radiation Therapy Program collaborated with BCIT to offer scholarships for radiation therapy students.

The students submitted an essay detailing why they chose to study radiation therapy and the benefits of living and working in rural BC.

Fourteen scholarships were awarded to students studying in all three years of the program.

“The essays were varied and provided a useful insight into what students found attractive about the Centre for the North,” says Dr. Ivo Olivotto, Radiation Therapy Provincial Program Head. “This information will be very useful in developing a solid recruitment plan."
 
The recipients of the scholarships are: Kyla Strachan, Joanna Denys, Romel Canlas, Heather Gaunt, Bronwen LeGuerrier, Madison Connor, Meagan Veenstra, Erin Robinson, Karlyene Hepditch, Irene Ng, Deborah Murray, Hector Hernandez, Carla McAfee and Chris Rowan.

“I also wish to extend my congratulations to the winners and comment on how impressed the judging panel was with the calibre of applicants,” says Fiona Mitchell. “As Provincial Professional Practice Leader I am delighted to see such enthusiasm from the next generation of radiation therapists.”


Dr. Brad Nelson, director, of the BC Cancer Agency’s Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre at the Vancouver Island Centre, was honoured as a Camosun College 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

Camosun’s Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to alumni who have graduated more than 10 years ago and who have made outstanding contributions in their fields and in service to community. Each of the recipients were nominated and selected for their ongoing and exceptional dedication, success and commitment to their profession.

After Camosun, Brad completed his undergrad degree with honours at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia. From there, he pursued a PhD at the University of California at Berkeley. He has held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre (FHCRC) in Seattle and faculty appointments at FHCRC, the Department of Immunology at the University of Washington and the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, all in Seattle.

In 2003, Brad joined the BC Cancer Agency as founding director of the Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre in Victoria.