Rapid learning

Oncological emergency: Hypercalcaemia of malignancy (HCM)

Hypercalcaemia is a complex metabolic abnormality that affects up to 30% of people with cancer. It is characterised by high calcium levels in the blood stream and can result in death.

HCM is the latest Rapid Learning in our oncological emergencies series, and will help you:  

• recognise the signs and symptoms of HCM
• assess the severity
• initiate the right interventions and escalate care appropriately

Learn more in the new rapid learning →

 Rapid listening

Shining a light on cancer genetics

“One thing that genetics does bring is that even if somebody has a very grim prognosis they find a little bit of  hope that by understanding any genetic mechanism causing their cancer is actually going to be a lot of hope for their family.”

Do you know the difference between a cancer genetics counsellor or cancer geneticist? Ever wonder what having a genetic test actually involves? We ask senior genetic counsellor Rachel Williams to explain the nitty gritty of the craft – where genetic testing and counselling fit into the patient journey and how it can change treatment options and outcomes.

Listen now →

Haematological diseases and disorders

Module 2 in our Introduction to haematology and blood and marrow transplantation course focuses on haematological diseases and disorders.

Developed in collaboration with the Agency for Clinical Innovation NSW, this is an introductory resource targeted to health professionals including new graduates to the workforce and those who are new to or have an interest in haematology and BMT.

On completion of this module you will be able to:

• differentiate between malignant and non-malignant haematological diseases
• describe the key clinical features of leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. 

View module 2 here  →

Updated: Primary brain tumour (PBT) overview

With the help of a fantastic group of clinical reviewers, we have updated our primary brain tumour module. The module follows the story of Martin, a 49-year-old male diagnosed with a PBT, and explores how this affects him and his family.

View the course here  →

My Health Learning - Extravasation

A little news for New South Wales Health users who use the HETI My Health Learning system!

Our extravasation content has been revised and redesigned. The new Extravasation eLearning module (Course code:49353796) and Extravasation eQuiz (Course code:49356923) now sit alongside the ADAC course as complementary materials, and not in the ADAC course itself.

Log into My Health Learning and search the catalogue to find the new extravasation modules.

Expressions of interest – CVAD review group

Are you an oncology health professional who is involved in the care of patients who have or will have a Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) inserted? Would you like to get involved in the review of the CVADs course, clinical resources and patient information on eviQ by becoming a member of our external review group?

If the answer is yes, read about how you can become involved and start earning some CPD points in our eviQ Education CVAD EOI news item.

View CVAD EOI news here  →

Facilitator in focus

“Keep it real and use feedback frequently.”

Kirsten Thompson has spent the last 7 of her 9 years in cancer services as a CNE. She loves the patient contact and close rapport that develops with patients over many months or even years.  She also enjoys the clinical skills associated with this acute specialty area.

When it comes to working in oncology, Kirsten says “There is a lot to learn and our practice is always changing.”  Keeping up to date with new evidence and always having new drugs to learn about are a few of the challenges.

Kirsten and a CNE colleague use our ADAC course materials & facilitators toolbox Clinical Skills Workshop materials to conduct a 4-day Chemotherapy and Cancer Care course. This includes using case studies and workshop & participant guides. Up to 6 participants attend 3 or 4 times a year. The workshops also contain a host of guest speakers such as allied health professionals (speech pathology, dietitian, psychology, occupational therapy & physio, social worker) who talk about their role in cancer patient care; a doctor who speaks about oncological emergencies; a  pharmacist’s view of supportive medications; and overviews of radiation oncology and cancer care coordination. The course is then followed by a one-month roster at the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre when assessments take place. Kirsten also finds short courses such as CVAD management are great for further learning in areas of interest.

What would Kirsten like to share with other facilitators? “Keep it real and use feedback frequently. ADAC is an excellent tool for training and assessing novice oncology nurses.  Remember everyone has their strengths, weaknesses and different learning styles, so adapt your training to suit the participant, keeping in mind the end goal, their overall knowledge and ability to work safely.”

ADAC update - welcome back to Sarah Chung!​

The team were very happy to welcome back our ADAC content writer Sarah Chung who returned from maternity leave this month. Sarah will be taking up where she left off and joined the team for a full planning day last week. Lots going on in the background now the full team is reunited – we can’t wait to share our progress with you in the next issue!

eviQ updates

eviQ protocol updates

Subscribe to receive content area specific updates direct to your inbox - click here to sign up to eviQ newsletters.

eviQ also lists all recently added protocols and updates made in the past 90 days on their content area homepages: Cancer genetics Haematology and BMT Medical oncology Radiation oncology, Clinical resources

eviQ →

As usual...

eviQ Education flyers available for your practice - Featuring a catalogue of all our courses. You can now print your own flyer to display in your workplace.

Rapid Listening series - Listen to our rapid learning series on our website, or listen/subscribe to the podcasts on Spotify or Google Podcasts.

Facilitator training: Register for on-demand facilitator training and/or an online Q & A session webinar:

• ADAC Q & A session - Wednesday19^th August 2020 - 2.00 – 3.00 pm (AEST)
• ADAC Q & A session - Wednesday 23^rd September 2020 - 2.00 – 3.00 pm (AEST)
• ADAC Q & A session - Wednesday 21^st October 2020 - 2.00 – 3.00 pm (AEST)

View the training calendar here .

Email us on eviqed@eviq.org.au to receive training access or book your Q & A session and receive webinar login details.

 Want to know what's new? Keep an eye on our website newsfeed.

 Share the love: If you have a colleague who may be interested in receiving this update – please invite them to subscribe! If you have a link you'd like to share, think about tweeting it with hashtag #eviQ .

FAQ​ Q: "What is informed financial consent?​" A: Informed consent means that a patient is aware of all the risks and benefits of a suggested treatment, as well as any potential alternatives. With this information, they have agreed to go ahead. The same principal applies to financial consent. Before delivering care, a clinician should provide information about the fees (including likely out-of-pocket costs). Read more in this Cancer Institute NSW explainer.

​   Did you know? A diagnosis of hypercalcaemia is achieved by examining the total serum calcium values and adjusting for albumin concentrations to determine the patients “corrected serum calcium".  Find out more in our latest rapid learning. View rapid learning →