Neutropenia: state of the knowledge part II.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the current available evidence for oncology nurses so that they may predict and prevent complications of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN), provide optimal education to patients, and become familiar with the state of the knowledge of neutropenia by understanding the evidence and guidelines for patients with cancer who may experience CIN.


METHODS
Review of primary literature, meta-analyses, available systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines, and discussions at the State of the Knowledge on Neutropenia Symposium.


RESULTS
The evidence for nursing interventions to prevent CIN complications is underdeveloped. Strong empirical support to prevent infection in patients with CIN (e.g., restrictions in diet, isolation procedures, providing accurate patient education) is lacking. Several areas of preventive measures by patients, hand washing, and skin care have a stronger evidence base and should have high priority on patient education plans.


CONCLUSIONS
Strong evidence is available for several nursing interventions to prevent infection in patients with CIN. Many existing practices lack empirical support and should be identified and reviewed in the clinical setting for appropriate patient management.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses can use the findings from the symposium to revise their care standards for patients anticipated to experience CIN. Research and practice performance improvement projects may be undertaken by oncology nurses to improve the delivery of evidence-based nursing care to this vulnerable patient population.
Nirenberg
Anita
A
School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. an207@columbia.edu
Parry Bush
Annette
A
Davis
Arlene
A
Friese
Christopher R
CR
Wicklin Gillespie
Theresa
T
Rice
Robert David
RD
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000451:nursing*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents