"HAND ME AN ISOBAR": a pilot study of an evidence-based approach to improving shift-to-shift clinical handover

Objective: To document haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) activity and trends among paediatric patients in Australia and New Zealand. Design, setting and participants: A retrospective analysis of data reported to the Australasian Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Registry by the seven paediatric HSCT institutions in Australia and New Zealand over the 9-year period 1998-2006, with particular focus on the most recent years (2002-2006). Main outcome measures: Types of HSCT performed; transplant-related mortality (TRM); stem cell sources; indications for HSCT; causes of death after HSCT. Results: Over the period 1998-2006, 522 autologous HSCT procedures (41%) and 737 allogeneic procedures (59%) were performed. About 60% of allogeneic transplants involved alternative donors (donors other than a human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling). The use of umbilical cord blood as a source of haemopoietic stem cells has doubled since 1998, with 34% of allogeneic transplants in 2006 using cord blood. Over the period 2002-2006, the median age of patients receiving transplants was 7 years (range, 0-19 years). The most common indications for allogeneic HSCT were acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (33%) and acute myeloid leukaemia (24%). The most common indications for autologous HSCT were neuroblastoma (23%), medulloblastoma (21%) and Ewing sarcoma (10%). TRM at 1 year after transplant was 22% for alternative donor transplants, 7% for matched-sibling transplants and 5% for autologous transplants, Relapse or persistence of a child's underlying condition accounted for 54% of all deaths within 1 year after transplant. Conclusions: HSCT is an important procedure for children with a range of life threatening illnesses. Local trends in the indications for HSCT, donor selection and TRM reflect contemporary international practice.