Antibiotics in 30 minutes or less for febrile neutropenic patients: a quality control measure in a new hospital.
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.
Center for Children's Cancer & Blood Diseases, Riley Hospital for Children at Clarian North, Carmel, Indiana 46032, USA. acorey@clariannorth.com
Amy L
AL
Corey
Stacy
S
Snyder
D000465:Algorithms; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D015274:Interdepartmental Relations; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011786:Quality Control; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents