Consensus Statement on Animals' Relationship with Pediatric Oncohematological Patients, on Behalf of Infectious Diseases and Nurse Working Groups of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

Contact with animals in pediatric oncohematologic patients is associated with many benefits, but the risk of contracting zoonoses, even if low, must be considered by clinicians. In order to assess the awareness about this topic, we surveyed the Italian pediatric oncohematology centers, which resulted in heterogeneous responses. The Infectious Diseases Working Group and the Nurse Working Group of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, together with veterinarians from the National Federation of Italian Veterinarians, drew up a consensus document to unify the indications to be given to families with the aim of guaranteeing a safe interaction between patients and animals and improving the collaboration of clinicians with veterinarians and families.

Organizational Challenges in the Pediatric Onco-hematology Units During the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Survey in Italy.

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 < 0.001), including inpatient beds dedicated to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and consultations in the outpatient clinics (p < 0.001). During the first wave, 37 pediatric patients with cancer tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 versus 174 patients during the second wave. The reduction in routine services was also greater in the second than in the first wave. All the AIEOP centers showed the capacity to adapt and promptly respond to both waves of the pandemic.

Guidelines of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology for the management of the central venous access devices in pediatric patients with onco-hematological disease.

INTRODUCTION: Central venous accesses devices (CVADs) have a fundamental importance for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in pediatric onco-hematological patients. The treatment of pediatric onco-hematological diseases is complex and requires the use of integrated multimodal therapies. Long-lasting and safe central venous access is therefore a cornerstone for any successful treatment. METHODS: The aim of this work is to define pediatric guidelines about the management of CVADs in onco-hematology. A panel of experts belonging to the working groups on Infections and Supportive Therapy, Surgery and Nursing of the Italian Pediatric Hematology Oncology Association (AIEOP) revised the scientific literature systematically, scored the level of evidence and prepared these guidelines. The content of the following guidelines was approved by the Scientific Board of AIEOP. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Important innovations have been developed recently in the field of CVADs, leading to new insertion methods, new materials and new strategy in the overall management of the device, especially in the adult population. These guidelines recommend how to apply these innovations in the pediatric population, and are directed to all physicians, nurses and health personnel active in the daily management of CVADs. Their aim is to update the knowledge on CVAD and improve the standard of care in pediatric patients with malignancies.

[Management of the Covid-19 epidemic in Italian Pediatric Hematology and Oncology centers: a nurse-led AIEOP national survey]. / Gestione dell'epidemia Covid19 nei centri di oncoematologia pediatrica Italiani: survey nazionale AIEOP condotta da infermieri.

INTRODUCTION: 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. AIM: This survey aims to highlight preventive and control measures to manage COVID-19 infection in Italian Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Association (AIEOP) centers. METHODS: A multicenter, 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. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 is not spreading homogeneously in Italy and children are less infected. 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.