Reducing empiric antibiotic administration in pediatric oncology patients with non-neutropenic fever: A single-center quality improvement initiative Journal Article
| Authors: | Satty, A.; Stiefel, J.; Mauguen, A.; Hudda, Z.; Lakkaraja, M.; Llaurador, G.; Rendon Bernot, M.; Seo, S. K.; Bender, J. G.; Sulis, M. L.; Boulad, F.; Killinger, J. S. |
| Article Title: | Reducing empiric antibiotic administration in pediatric oncology patients with non-neutropenic fever: A single-center quality improvement initiative |
| Abstract: | The management of non-neutropenic fever in pediatric oncology varies widely, with many providers choosing to administer empiric antibiotics. We conducted a quality improvement intervention seeking to decrease empiric antibiotic administration in pediatric oncology patients with a central venous catheter presenting in the outpatient setting with non-neutropenic fever assessed to be low-risk for bacteremia. Over a 1-year period, empiric antibiotics were administered at the index visit in 9.6% of episodes, compared with 97% prior to the intervention. In patients not receiving empiric antibiotics, the bacteremia rate was 2.3% and composite event rate 5.1%, similar to pre-intervention baseline. These data suggest that empiric antibiotics can be withheld in low-risk patients with non-neutropenic fever. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. |
| Keywords: | adolescent; child; preschool child; child, preschool; clinical trial; neoplasm; neoplasms; fever; antiinfective agent; anti-bacterial agents; infant; total quality management; bacteremia; drug therapy; pediatric oncology; prevention and control; quality improvement; etiology; antibiotics; complication; humans; human; male; female; non-neutropenic fever |
| Journal Title: | Pediatric Hematology and Oncology |
| Volume: | 42 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 0888-0018 |
| Publisher: | Taylor & Francis Group |
| Date Published: | 2025-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 242 |
| End Page: | 249 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1080/08880018.2025.2498664 |
| PUBMED: | 40329807 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledge in the PDF -- Corresponding authors is MSK author: Jessica Stiefel -- Source: Scopus |
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