Fever and neutropenia outcomes and areas of intervention: A report from SUCCOUR – CANCaRe Africa
CANCaRe Africa shared a post on LinkedIn:
Early start of antibiotics is essential when children who receive chemotherapy have a reduced immunity and develop a fever. This study (in 5 hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 250 patients, more than 95% complete data) provides important local evidence on this topic.
Ten percent of patients with fever and neutropenia started antibiotics within the first hour, fifteen percent had a blood culture done. Giving antibiotics at this stage is critical as it helps to improve outcomes.
Dr. Glenn Mbah Afungchwi, nurse and World Child Cancer programme leader from Baptist Mutengene Hospital, Cameroon and co-author of the study said :
‘It was hard work for the team to get this study done. We all felt it was crucial. We continue to work together with several parties to ensure that a rapid start of antibiotics is possible when needed. Nurses play a key role in this.'”
Source: CANCaRe Africa/LinkedIn
CANCaRe Africa – a Collaborative African Network of Clinical Care and Research for Childhood Cancer. Our vision is that children in Africa with common and curable cancer types will achieve survival rates greater than 60%.