The effect of the neutropenic diet in the outpatient setting: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether use of the neutropenic diet in the outpatient setting decreases the number of febrile admissions and positive blood cultures associated with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.


METHODS
Descriptive pilot study.


METHODS
Outpatient chemotherapy unit of a medical center in a major metropolitan area.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 28 patients aged 33-67 years beginning treatment with 1 of 13 chemotherapy regimens.


METHODS
Twelve-week prospective study beginning on day 1 of chemotherapy cycle 1. Patients received instructions regarding the neutropenic diet before starting chemotherapy. Adherence assessment telephone calls were made at weeks 6 and 12. Hospital admission charts were reviewed at study completion.


METHODS
Adherence with neutropenic diet, number of febrile admissions, and number of positive blood cultures.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients were compliant with the neutropenic diet, four of which were admitted for neutropenia with gram-negative rods. No significant differences were found in the rates of febrile admissions or positive blood cultures between compliant and noncompliant patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical significance in this pilot study is related to the time required for diet education, content of diet education regarding food restrictions, and difficulty adhering to diet requirements given the multitude of side effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, diarrhea) of chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
No clear evidence exists that the neutropenic diet makes a difference in overall rates of infection. Nursing research to compare the neutropenic diet with a less restrictive food safety education-focused diet is needed to guide clinical practice.
DeMille
Debra
D
Joan Karnell Cancer Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. dedemi@pahosp.com
Deming
Priscilla
P
Lupinacci
Paul
P
Jacobs
Linda A
LA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010343:Patient Admission; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents