Nurse-led study on treatment delay and streamlining antibiotic therapy among haematology patients with febrile neutropenia post chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to identify gaps that exist among health professionals that may impact practices in caring effectively for patients with febrile neutropenia (FN). Background : Haematology patients with FN following chemotherapy frequently experience delays in antibiotic administration that may be linked to poorer clinical outcomes. To aid timely review and treatment, FN care pathways have been developed. However, observations of clinical practice and patient anecdotal reports have highlighted that the care pathways may not be adhered to. The impact on patient care outcomes due to treatment delays and the rate of protocol adherence to the FN management pathway is unknown due to insufficient evidence. Methods: Using the Clinical Records Integrated System (CRIS), data were collected by auditing patients’ electronic health records (EHR