Effectiveness of early antibiotic administration in septic patients with cancer.

Abstract

Introduction: First dose intravenous antimicrobial therapy should be administered within 1 hour of admission but this is achieved in a minority of patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis at the largest Oncology hospital in Europe. Nurse-led administration of initial antibiotic therapy was introduced to the admissions unit. Results: The nurse led protocol increased compliance with the 1 hour target from 40% to 88.6%. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean length of stay (p=0.045) which was more pronounced in the neutropenic population (p=0.006). There was a trend to improved 30 day mortality. Conclusions: A nurse led protocol can be effective in improving compliance with the 1 hour target. Early administration of intravenous antibiotics in cancer patients with sepsis is associated with a shorter length of inpatient stay and a trend to decreased mortality.