PC-01. Patient birthday celebration at the bone marrow transplant clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

Volunteers play an important role in the medical and social rehabilitation of patients with oncohematological diseases and improve the quality of life of patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, clinic staff and volunteer organizations have been faced with the necessity to invent the new forms of interaction in the context of restrictions. The objective is to develop the most effective and safe format of interaction between volunteers of the social movement “MotoDonors for Children”, patients and hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main goal of the study was focused on the development of an algorithm for the event “Birthday at the Hospital” and the analysis of the results.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted on the basis of materials from events organized by volunteers in cooperation with the staff of the rehabilitation department from April 2020 to June 2021. The survey included the results from children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years at different stages of treatment for hematological, oncological and hereditary diseases, including the period of cytopenia after chemotherapy and HSCT. The department staff collected up-to-date information about patients before their birthday, received parental consent for the event and accompanied their interaction with volunteers. A questionnaire for the parents of children and the patient’s medical staff was compiled as a feedback form.

Results

During the observation period, 87 events were held dedicated to the birthday of children treated at the clinic, 42 cases (48%) were in 2020 and 45 (52%) during 2021. All the patients received a gift chosen by their parent, depending on the wishes, age and interests of the child. All respondents confirmed the importance of individual approach to choosing a gift. Part of the gifts – 45 (40%) were given to the child through the medical staff, the other was received personally in an outpatient clinic. A photo session was organized in 50 (44%); motor biking, in 25 (29%), and video congratulations in 5 (6%) during the inpatient treatment. The majority of parents 80 (91%) noted an improvement in the child’s emotional background after congratulations. There were no negative reactions from children and their parents after interaction with department staff and volunteers.

Conclusions

An effective and safe algorithm of a birthday party during a long stay in the hospital has been formed in compliance with the strict quarantine rules. This way of birthday celebration has a positive effect on overcoming the hospital routine and helps to feel the moment of growing up.

Keywords

Children, oncology, hematology, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, rehabilitation.