Young cancer patients are treated as inpatients or outpatients at the Children’s Hospital of University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina. While undergoing therapy, children receive special care from physicians and staff who are trained to understand and respond to the needs of pediatric patients. Even the décor in the Children’s Hospital is focused on the young. A colorful marine theme, featuring familiar landmarks and animals from the North Carolina coast, brightens patient halls, play spaces and waiting areas.
We use a team approach to meet the physical, emotional and educational needs of patients and their families. Services include comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care for children and adolescents with leukemia, lymphomas and solid tumors. We also provide the "Rainbow Services" program which help pediatric patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other chronic blood disorders and their families achieve a brighter outlook.
The pediatric oncology treatment team includes:
- pediatric oncologists
- certified oncology nurse clinicians
- social workers
- child life specialists
- a pediatric psychologist
Pediatric oncologists at the Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center are making sure children with cancer spend their time at home with family and friends instead of at the hospital.
The approach to care for pediatric cancer patients stresses early return to home and family and maintaining the child in the community environment as much as possible. To accomplish that goal, most patients are treated primarily as outpatients. Unfortunately, some patients require frequent hospitalizations.
Making sure children return to their friends and family as soon as possible requires a skilled staff and state-of-the-art technology. Pediatric oncologists are dedicated to providing young patients with everything they need to overcome their disease and become happy and productive adults. And that means offering supportive, emotional care for the patient and the family
The staff uses written and audiovisual materials to help patients and their families understand the disease and its treatment. Each family also receives a personal notebook that discusses general problems related to cancer.
That support extends to the day of discharge and beyond. Coming home from the hospital can be scary. Children aren’t sure what to expect or how their lives will be different. The pediatric oncology staff understands this and has devised ways to help. The staff spends time answering questions and makes sure the patient and family are ready to travel the road back home.
The service provides school visits to re-introduce children to classes. Child Life and nursing staff go to schools and meet with teachers, students and administrators about how to relate to cancer patients coming back to the classroom.
To make sure children with cancer have every opportunity to conquer their disease, the pediatric oncology unit participates in the clinical trials from the Children's Oncology Group.
