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Antibiotics in 30 Minutes or Less for Febrile Neutropenic Patients: A Quality Control Measure in a New Hospital

Center for Children's Cancer & Blood Diseases, Riley Hospital for Children at Clarian North, Carmel, Indiana, acorey{at}clariannorth.com

Stacy Snyder, PharmD

Riley Hospital for Children at Clarian North, Carmel, Indiana

Infections are the most common complication in patients receiving treatment for cancer with neutropenia being the primary risk factor for the development of an infection. In the neutropenic patient, bacteremia remains a significant cause of mortality. Although the literature reports that prompt empiric antibiotic therapy to prevent death caused by virulent organisms is the standard of care, the literature fails to identify what prompt antibiotic administration means. Door/fever-to-patient antibiotic delivery was evaluated as a quality control measure in a new children's hospital. Initially, door/fever-to-patient time was significantly delayed. Collaboration between pharmacy, hospital bed control, medical, and nursing staff resulted in many changes in practice by all groups. As a result, the goal for prompt antibiotic delivery of thirty minutes or less is now achievable.

Key Words: infections • neutropenia • antibiotic therapy • quality measure

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