Utility of routine nurse assessment of the risk of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia.
Evidence-based guidelines recommend that patients at high risk (> or = 20%) for febrile neutropenia (FN) should receive prophylactic colony-stimulating factors (Aapro et al., 2006; Kouroukis et al., 2008; National Comprehensive Cancer Network [NCCN], 2008; Smith et al., 2006). We studied the utility of having nurses routinely assess FN risk in new patients before the initiation of chemotherapy. Fifteen nurses used a standardized tool to evaluate FN risk in 150 patients. In 94% of patients studied, nurses detected risk factors that prompted interventions to reduce the incidence of FN. On final evaluation, 67% of nurses said the use of a standardized tool helped them to identify patients at risk for FN, and 73% planned to assess FN risk routinely. Thus, it is feasible and valuable for nurses to assess FN risk using a standardized checklist prior to the initiation of chemotherapy.
Moore
Kelley
K
Scientific Affairs and Provider Services, P4 Healthcare, Lakeland, TN, USA. jkmg06@gmail.com
Fortner
Barry
B
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D057189:Checklist / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003663:Decision Trees; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009737:Nursing Records; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents