• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Rotation

    Preceptor(s)

    Brooke Bernhardt, PharmD, BCOP

    Rotation Site Description

    The Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Hematology Service is the largest of its kind in the United States, serving patients with all types of oncologic and hematologic disorders. Nearly 33,000 patients will be seen in the outpatient clinic, with approximately 1,800 of those patients presenting with new diagnoses this year. Patients and family members come from 35 states and 26 countries to Texas Children’s for treatment.

    Rotation Responsibilities

    • To provide clinical pharmacy services to pediatric hematology and oncology patients, which includes:
    • Reviewing patient profiles with the intent of identifying, resolving, and preventing medication related complications
    • Understanding the pharmacology, dosing, indication, and anticipated adverse events (and the management thereof) for each medication used
    • Rounding and interacting effectively with multidisciplinary Hematology/Oncology teams
    • Participating in various learning opportunities as appropriate, including Attending/Fellow lectures, Drug of the Day, Pharmacotherapy Nursing Rounds, Pharmacotherapy Rounds, Tumor Board, and Grand Rounds
    • Providing pharmacokinetic, nutrition, and electrolyte recommendations as indicated on each patient
    • Providing timely and accurate answers to drug information questions
    • Monitoring for and reporting of adverse drug events as appropriate
    • Participating in departmental initiatives as indicated

    Activities

    Rounds  

    Monday through Thursday: 8:30 am
    Friday: 9:30 am

    Projects:  

    At least one nursing inservice, one pharmacist inservice, and one pharmacotherapy project will be required to be completed during the month.

    Required Meetings:  

    • Meetings as scheduled with preceptor/Attending/Fellow Hematology/Oncology lectures: Mondays and Fridays, 12:00 pm
    • Tumor Board: Tuesdays at 4:00 pm
    • Pediatric Grand Rounds: Fridays at 8:30 am
    • Nursing Pharmacotherapy Rounds as scheduled once per month
    • Pharmacotherapy Rounds as scheduled once per month
       

    Topics of Discussion

    Topics to be discussed

    • Leukemia and Lymphomas
      • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Acute myelogenous leukemia, Chronic leukemias
      • Burkitt’s, Hodgkin’s, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas
       
    • Solid Tumors
      • Osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma family of tumors, retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms’ Tumor, hepatoblastoma, germ cell tumors, medulloblastoma, CNS tumors
       
    • Supportive Care 
      • Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, acute and long-term toxicities of chemotherapy, pain management, nutrition/electrolyte supplementation
       
    • Hematology
      • utoimmune hemolytic anemia, Aplastic anemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
       
    • The Drug Development Process and Investigational