TORONTO, March 21 /CNW/ - Cancer Care Ontario has released a new iPhone app that provides health care professionals with the latest authoritative knowledge for managing a patient's cancer-related symptoms right at the point of care. This first CCO mobile app also runs on the iPad and the iPod Touch

The free app accesses a handheld version of the Symptom Management Algorithms and Guides-to-Practice developed as part of CCO's Ontario Cancer Symptom Management Collaborative. Patients should be screened for symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) tool to rate the severity of common cancer symptoms such as pain, nausea and anxiety, then - depending on the patient's ESAS score - the app supports clinical decision-making at the point of care by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological symptom management information.

"Today, clinicians rely on electronic access to medical information," said Michael Sherar, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario. "This new mobile app frees clinicians from their desktop computers and allows them to use the most up-to-date treatment information at the bedside to guide decisions leading to the best possible symptom control for patients."

"This app takes all the information clinicians normally access via a web browser to the next level," said Dr. Carol Sawka, Vice-President, Clinical Programs and Quality Initiatives, Cancer Care Ontario. "It provides vital clinical findings and information where and when clinicians need it to make the right, evidence-based treatment decisions."

Guides-to-Practice help healthcare professionals assess and appropriately manage common cancer-related patient symptoms: pain, nausea and vomiting, depression, anxiety, and dyspnea (shortness of breath).

The app can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cancer-care-ontario-symptom/id419371782?mt=8&ls=1

The CCO app is an algorithm to help guide assessment and care planning based on the severity of a patient's identified symptoms. Most symptoms in the app ask clinicians to first enter their patient's ESAS score to help determine the appropriate care pathway. The app then guides them through clinical assessment and care planning, including both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.

The complete guides are posted on CCO's website at: http://www.cancercare.on.ca/toolbox/symptools

Cancer Care Ontario is the provincial agency responsible for continually improving cancer services.  As the government's cancer advisor, Cancer Care Ontario works to reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer, and make sure patients receive better care every step of the way.

For further information:
Ron MacInnes
Manager, Public Affairs, Cancer Care Ontario
P: 416-971-9800 x. 3788
C: 647-200-9103
E: ron.macinnes@cancercare.on.ca