Nurse Navigator Comer Children's Hospital, Chicagoland Children's Health Alliance Munster, Indiana, United States
Title: Navigating a Fertility Preservation Program in Pediatric Oncology with Collaboration between Partnered Institutions
Abstract : Infertility is a significant long-term consequence for many cancer survivors treated with gonadotoxic therapies. A standardized process, facilitated by a dedicated nurse navigator, is vital for delivering consistent, equitable, and patient-centered fertility preservation care.
The purpose of this abstract is to describe the development and implementation of a standardized, nurse navigator-led fertility preservation program across partnered institutions. This process ensures consistent and comprehensive communication with pediatric oncology patients/families regarding infertility risks, options and resources.
The Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance created a standardized system for identifying new patients and assessing infertility risk from gonadotoxic therapies. A dedicated nurse navigator utilizes a data collection platform, which is then used for infertility risk stratification. The navigator then communicates risk, provided education on fertility preservation options, and schedules consultations with the respective team. The data collection platform is then updated to track risk stratification, consultations, options discussed, and interventions.
In 2024, 145 new oncology patients/families were educated on risk infertility and presented with eligible options to preserve their fertility at the start of their diagnosis with a 69% intervention completion rate among eligible patients. We have been able to provide ovarian tissue cryopreservation, testicular tissue cryopreservation, sperm banking, and oocyte and embryo banking to our patients with the help of a dedicated nurse navigator.
The learner will be able recall techniques and methods nurse navigators are able to use to create a standardized fertility preservation process for newly diagnosed oncology patients. This model ensures consistent identification of patients at risk for infertility, thorough education for patients/families, and timely access to fertility preservation options and resources. This approach streamlines the complex process, leading to comprehensive, quality oncology care.
