The Catalyst Issue 23 | December 2015 | Page 10

CHANGING CANCER CARE IN CENTRAL TEXAS. McLane Children’s Scott & White Children with cancer require an investment in unique technology and specialized resources hen a child is diagnosed with cancer, a family’s world suddenly seems to stop. However, the experts at McLane Children’s Scott & White are always ready for action with specialized resources and technology to beat the disease. From the right pediatric oncologists and specially trained nurses, to the right size and type of technology, and the gentle touch of allied professionals, each person’s talent and each resource is laser focused on the unique needs of young patients. Because pediatric cancer can be a long and tedious journey filled with many complex challenges, families need a place that cares exclusively for children through interdisciplinary collaboration. The complexity of pediatric cancer care requires not only the care of oncologists, but also the expertise of specialists in other areas such as pediatric surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology, infectious disease, cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology, to name a few. “We have all the resources necessary to take care of patients with many types of pediatric cancer,” says Javier Kane, MD, director of the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at McLane Children’s. These resources W 10 THE CATALYST December 15 | sw.org include clinical expertise as well as support services to help children heal emotionally, developmentally, and spiritually, and to keep up academically. McLane Children’s is also a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the national consortium for the treatment of childhood cancer. This means that our patients have access to clinical trials and the most advanced cancer therapies available, without having to travel far from home to healthcare systems in more urban areas. “Our cancer center is integrated into the framework of a very comprehensive institution that caters to the children of our community,” says Dr. Kane. “It’s a very personalized service that we provide. We know the patients and parents by name, and we communicate with them by phone or email, using the electronic medical record (EMR) system, called EPIC. Our patients’ families have our numbers, too, and can reach us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if and when they need help.” Serving a large region with pediatric specialty care McLane Children’s in Temple, Texas, has a 112-bed hospital with expertise in 40 pediatric specialties. “We have all the resources needed to take care of patients with many types of pediatric cancer.” —Javier Kane, MD The McLane Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Clinic is located in the specialty clinic building right next to McLane Children’s Hospital, so all services are easily accessible. The hospital serves a larger network of patients and their families with pediatric hematology/oncology clinics in Killeen/Fort Hood, Waco, College Station, and Round Rock. All patients in the region have access to the full scope of care within the Baylor Scott & White Health system. Because McLane Children’s serves a vast region, communication with other caregivers regarding outpatient and inpatient status is key, and the EMR system plays an important role. “The benefit of the EMR is care coordination among the different care providers in our interdisciplinary approach.