Components of the Communities Oncology Network include patients and their families, community health care providers and volunteers, hospitals, community groups, Health Regions, the BC Cancer Agency Regional Centres and all the processes facilitated by the Agency. The components are interdependent and held together by trust, mutual respect, communication and education.

 Topics in Communities Oncology Network are listed on the left-hand side of this page.

BCCA Medical Oncologists who transfer care to the community to receive chemotherapy have the responsibility to ensure that the accepting physician has the necessary knowledge, skill and ability to manage this care and that the community facility meets the BCCA standards as defined by the Communities Oncology Network (CON) model. These standards outlining infrastructure and processes necessary for a comprehensive community cancer care program are found at the BCCA website.

Evidence supports the observation that patient outcomes from their cancer treatment are related to the experience of their care providers. Quality care for cancer patients requires a dedicated team of health care professionals knowledgeable about all aspects of cancer care, working together to deliver that care.

The CON facilities must have at a minimum, appropriately trained and competent staff (nurses, physicians, pharmacists) to administer and manage the cytotoxic and hazardous products used to treat cancer. As well they must have access to clinical diagnostic services, such as haematology, with the capability to provide all of the information required to monitor cancer therapy. Additionally these communities must have the capabilities to respond to complications of therapy 24 hours per day.

Each of the community health care professionals must be supported to develop and maintain their competency:

Physician: The medical staff within the health care community ought to identify one or two physicians who have an interest in cancer care and chemotherapy delivery and are willing to obtain oncology expertise through the Family practice oncology Network preceptorship program or other similar experience. Maintenance of competency would be by yearly updates such as at a Regional Cancer Centre, the BCCA Annual Cancer Conference or other means.

Registered Nurses: The appropriate health care leader(s) within the community ought to identify nurses who have an interest in oncology nursing and are willing to obtain chemotherapy certification at the BCCA, or other similar training program in a regional Health Authority. Each chemotherapy certified nurse is responsible for maintaining continuing competency in the care of patients receiving chemotherapy and will demonstrate this annually by:

• Recording administration of at least 50 chemotherapy drugs per year.
• Recording participation in at least 10 hours of continuing education annually that is specifically related to care of patients receiving chemotherapy.

The nursing leadership supports the nurse in meeting requirements for continuing competency by facilitating scheduling and education relief time.

Information about chemotherapy certification education for nurses, including course outline, expectations for continuing competency, nurse selection, and application process is available on the BC Cancer Agency website at:

http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/CE/Nursing/chemo/certification/default.htm

Pharmacy Staff: The appropriate health care leaders within the community ought to identify one or two pharmacists who have an interest in oncology pharmacy care and are willing to expand their knowledge of oncology care. This knowledge can be obtained in different ways such as liaising with pharmacy staff from the BCCA, participating in professional development opportunities provided by the BCCA, and the Pharmacy Professional Meeting at the BCCA Annual Cancer Conference. In addition, pharmacy technicians trained in the safe handling and preparation of cytotoxics and hazardous drugs should be supported to maintain their expertise and competency.

BCCA Medical oncologists will not be referring patients to communities that do not meet the foregoing standards.