TOP-FORUM - AN INTERACTIVE DATABASE TO IM PROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE IN PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY

The treatment of pediatric cancer patients is characterised by complex and agressive chemotherapy, difficult decision making, the numerous p rotocols available and the necessity of highly skilled caregivers. Qua lity of care is a major issue in all pediatric oncology units. We crea ted an interactive multi-media database available to each caregiver to permit him/her to have easy access to information and thus increase h is/her knowledge and participate in increasing their group's know-how. The computer database is available to all on a free-access basis in e ach ward. This is a novel approach to quality care, as it accords grea t importance to personal formation, allowing each caregiver to broaden his/her knowledge via easily obtained data which he/she can help enri ch by permanent feedback. This database may become the backbone of dep artment know-how.