A nurse-led protocol improves the time to first dose intravenous antibiotics in septic patients post chemotherapy.

Abstract

Neutropenic sepsis is a time-dependent emergency with early interventions shown to improve outcomes. Broad spectrum intravenous antibiotic administration is the initial therapy in patients with suspected neutropenic sepsis. Compliance with early antibiotic administration in febrile neutropenia patients is poor. Innovations have been trialled to improve the time to first dose intravenous antibiotics in patients with suspected neutropenic sepsis. Consideration of extending first dose intravenous antibiotic prescribing to trained nursing staff may improve performance in this key standard.