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Evaluation of a home intravenous antibiotic program in pediatric oncology
J T Wiernikowski1, M Rothney, S Dawson
1Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Home intravenous antibiotic therapy offers a safe and effective alternative for treating febrile neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients. This pilot program demonstrated successful outcomes and significant cost savings compared to traditional inpatient care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Febrile neutropenia is a common and serious complication in children undergoing cancer treatment.
- Hospitalization for febrile neutropenic episodes incurs significant costs and resource utilization.
- Alternative management strategies are needed to improve efficiency and patient/family experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a home intravenous antibiotic therapy program for pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia.
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of home-based versus inpatient management.
- To gather parental feedback on the home therapy experience.
Main Methods:
- Pilot program involving home intravenous antibiotic administration for febrile neutropenic episodes.
- Inclusion of 13 pediatric cancer patients/families over a 6-month period.
- Cost analysis comparing home therapy to inpatient treatment.
Main Results:
- Successful treatment of 22 infection episodes in participating children.
- Home therapy was found to be considerably cheaper than inpatient treatment.
- The program led to more efficient healthcare delivery, despite incremental hospital costs.
- Parental feedback was highly favorable.
Conclusions:
- Home intravenous antibiotic therapy is a safe and efficacious option for managing febrile neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients.
- This approach offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative to hospitalization.
- Positive parental experiences support the adoption of home-based care models.
Abstract:
We conducted a pilot program of home intravenous antibiotic therapy for the management of febrile neutropenic episodes in a population of children with cancer. During a 6-month period, 13 children/families participated in the successful treatment of 22 episodes of infection. A cost analysis of the program indicates that home therapy is considerably cheaper than in-hospital treatment. Although the program represents an incremental cost to the hospital, it does provide for more efficient health care delivery. Feedback from parents who participated was highly favorable. We believe that home intravenous antibiotic therapy is a safe and efficacious alternative to hospital management of children with malignant diseases admitted with fever and neutropenia.