Multinational Association For Supportive Care In Cancer Score Research Articles

Unmasking the MASCC score: A retrospective study.

e18763 Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common oncological emergency in patients receiving anticancer treatments. The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and the Clinical Index of the Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE) are validated risk assessment tools widely used to guide the need for hospital admission. There is sparse research regarding the utility of these scores in predicting in-hospital outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients admitted with FN from 2012 to 2022 in our community-based teaching hospital and compared the performances of MASCC and CISNE scores on in-hospital outcomes such as length of hospital stay, duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotics, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, pressor use, length of ICU stay, in-hospital mortality and cost of hospital stay. Logistic regression was applied to calculate the unadjusted odds ratio for qualitative outcomes and linear regression to calculate the association for quantitative outcomes. Results: Among 139 patients screened, 100 met the inclusion criteria. Sixty eight percent of patients were 65 years or older, 53% were females, the most common presenting complaint was fever/chills (46%) and 67% had underlying hematologic malignancies. Patients with high-risk MASCC scores (HM) were noted to have higher odds of ICU admission (OR 20.3), pressor use (OR 5.09), and in-hospital mortality (OR 4.11) compared to those with low-risk MASCC scores (LM). Patients with HM had 3.3 days longer hospital stay and 2.3 days longer ICU stay compared to patients with LM with the mean duration being 6.5 days and 1.59 days, respectively. Patients with HM required 3.1 additional days of IV antibiotics compared to those with LM, with the mean duration of 5.23 days. The mean cost of stay was 52,890 USD, with an additional cost of 42,086.95 USD for patients with HM than for patients with LM. Comparisons of CISNE scores showed no statistical significance for any of the above-mentioned hospital outcomes and cost of the stay. Conclusions: FN patients with HM were found to have worse in-hospital outcomes and more expensive hospital stay than patients with LM. Our study highlighted the utility of MASCC score as a potential screening tool at the time of admission to predict severity of illness and guide resource utilization. [Table: see text]

Can Risk Stratification Tools Be Utilized to Safely Discharge Low-Risk Febrile Neutropenic Patients from the Emergency Department?

BackgroundChemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of the more common oncological emergencies. Despite evidence in the oncology literature suggesting that low-risk cases of FN can be managed safely at home, most patients with FN who present to the emergency department (ED) are admitted. FN risk stratification methods, such as Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE) scores, may be useful when considering patient disposition. We sought to address whether the existing body of literature is adequate to support the use of these methods when treating patients with FN in the ED. MethodsA PubMed search from January 1, 2016 to March 19, 2021 was performed using the following search strategy: “febrile neutropenia” OR (fever AND neutropenia)) AND (emerg* OR outpatient) AND (admit OR admission OR hospitalization). General review articles and case reports were omitted. Each of the articles selected underwent a structured review. ResultsThe search yielded 371 articles, which were independently screened for relevance by two authors, and 23 articles were selected for inclusion. MASCC score was used in 10 of the identified studies and each of these studies concluded that the score was useful in the ED. Most of the identified studies found that CISNE score had a higher sensitivity than MASCC score (96.7% vs. 32.9%, respectively), but a lower specificity (22.2% vs. 89.5%). ConclusionsFN risk stratifications tools, such as MASCC and CISNE scores, are supported by the existing literature and may be included as part of the decision-making process when considering patient disposition.

Usefulness of complete blood count parameters to predict poor outcomes in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia presenting to the emergency department

Introduction Febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of the major complications with high mortality rates in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk-index score has limited applicability for routine use in the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to develop simplified new nomograms that can predict 28-day mortality and the development of serious medical complications in patients with FN by using a combination of complete blood count (CBC) parameters with quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA). Methods In this retrospective observational study, various models comprising qSOFA score and individual CBC parameters (red cell distribution width, delta neutrophil index, mean platelet volume (MPV)) were evaluated for association with outcomes by a multivariate logistic analysis. Subsequently, nomograms were developed for outcome prediction. The primary outcome was mortality at 28 days from ED presentation; the secondary outcome was the development of serious medical complications. Results A total of 378 patients were included. Among the CBC parameters, only MPV was significantly associated with 28-day mortality and serious medical complications in patients with FN. The nomogram developed to predict 28-day mortality and serious medical complications showed good discrimination with area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.729 and 0.862 (95% CI, 0.780–0.943), respectively, which were not different from those of the MASCC score (0.814, 95% CI, 0.705–0.922; p = .07 and 0.921, 95% CI, 0.863–0.979; p = .11, respectively) in the validation set. The calibration of both nomograms demonstrated good agreement in the validation set. Conclusion In this study, a novel prognostic nomogram using qSOFA score and MPV to identify cancer patients with FN with high risk of 28-day mortality and serious medical complications was verified and validated. Prompt management of fatal complications of FN can be possible through early prediction of poor outcomes with these new nomograms. KEY MESSAGES Among the evaluated CBC parameters, only mean platelet volume was associated with 28-day mortality and serious medical complications in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia. A novel and rapid prognostic nomogram was developed using quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and mean platelet volume to identify cancer patients with febrile neutropenia having high risk of 28-day mortality and serious medical complications. The nomogram developed to predict 28-day mortality and serious medical complications in patients with febrile neutropenia showed good discrimination and provides rapid patient evaluation that is especially applicable in the emergency department.

Scoring Systems Identifying the Low-Risk Febril Neutropenia Patients in the Emergency Department: Usefulness of MASCC, CISNE and qSOFA

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), and Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE) scores in identifying the low-risk febrile neutropenia patients among patients with chemotherapy-associated neutropenia in the emergency department setting.
 Material and Method: The risk scores of the patients were calculated and divided into low-risk and high-risk categories according to the guidelines. Serious complications and 30-day mortality were recorded. Patients who survived and did not develop any serious complications were defined as low risk FN.
 Results: The median age of the patients was 63 years, and 56.3% were male. Of all patients, 50.6% had hematological malignancy. Blood culture positivity was detected in 31% of the patients. Of all patients, 51 (58.6%) were low-risk FN. The complication rate in patients was 40.2%, while the mortality rate was 25.3%. When evaluated according to the risk scores, 69 (79.3%) patients with qSOFA, 40 (46%) patients with MASCC and 7 (8.1%) patients with CISNE were classified as low risk. The qSOFA score had the highest sensitivity with 96.08%, MASCC had the highest PPV with 85%, and the CISNE score had the highest specificity with 88.89% in patients with low-risk febrile neutropenia.
 Conclusion: MASCC, CISNE and qSOFA scores have reasonable discriminating power in identifying low-risk neutropenia patients. The combined use of scoring systems with the clinical gestalt and communication with oncologists will further increase the percentage of the recognized low-risk neutropenia patients in the emergency department.

The role of serum albumin/globulin ratio in combination with prognostic risk indexes of febrile neutropenia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the serum albumin/globulin ratio (AGR) on the 30-day mortality of febrile neutropenia (FEN). The second aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the combination of the AGR with the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE) risk indexes on 30-day mortality of FEN. A retrospective study evaluating the effect of serum AGR, MASCC and CISNE scores on 30-day FEN mortality. A total of 137 FEN episodes in 120 patients were included in this study. Nineteen patients (14%) died within the first 30days of FEN episodes. The 30-day mortality rate was calculated as 4% in patients with high AGR and 23% in patients with low AGR (P=.002). According to the MASCC and CISNE risk scores, the mortality rates in low-risk patients were 8% and 6%, respectively, and in the high-risk group 22% and 29%, respectively (P=.024 vs P<.001). In the group of patients with MASCC <21 and CISNE ≥3, the 30-day mortality rate was 7%, when the AGR was >1.13, and in those with AGR ≤1.13 mortality rate increased to 50% (P=.012). A low AGR in a patient with FEN was found to be associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality. Combining the AGR with MASCC and CISNE risk indexes might increase the predictive value of these scoring systems on 30-day mortality.

Substantiation of Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Score in Risk Assessment of Febrile Neutropenic Patients in Hematological Disorders: A Regional Study from Pakistan

Abstract: Background: The incidence of neutropenia in hematological malignancies comprises of huge burden of febrile neutropenia. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk index score is the most widely used model for forecast of complications. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic accuracy of MASCC scoring system in febrile neutropenia patients suffering from hematological disorders. Materials &amp; Methods: Patients suffering from hematological disorders and presenting with febrile neutropenia were stratified into low and high risk groups according to MASSC score. The standard score range from 0 to 26 points; score of more than or equals to 21 were considered to be low risk and score of less than 21 was high-risk category. As an in-patient at National Institute of Blood Disease &amp; Bone Marrow Transplantation, they were followed over the course of illness for development of any serious medical condition until resolution of febrile neutropenia. Results: Of 217 patients, serious medical conditions were documented in (63%) of individuals among the high-risk group cohort and (13%) developed serious medical conditions in low-risk cohort. Major disease encountered was acute leukemia (69%). Hypotension 14 (22.2%) and hepatic failure 14 (22.2%) were among the two most common variables of established serious medical condition. The overall sensitivity and specificity of MASCC score was 69.8% and 81.8%, with the positive and negative predictive value of 61.1% and 86.8% respectively. Conclusion: The score has been re-validated in this study and determined its significance in ascertainment of high-risk cohort among febrile neutropenic patients in the current era, thereby helping the physicians to tailor the management approach accordingly. Keywords: MASCC, Febrile neutropenia, Leukemia, Hematological disorders, Cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Use of MASCC score in the inpatient management of febrile neutropenia: a single-center retrospective study

PurposeThe Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score is used to risk stratify outpatients with febrile neutropenia (FN). However, it is rarely used in hospital settings. We aimed to describe management, use of MASCC score, and outcomes among hospitalized patients with FN.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with cancer and FN. We collected patient demographics, cancer characteristics, microbiological profile, MASCC score, utilization of critical care therapies, documentation of goals of care (GOC), and inpatient deaths. Outcomes associated with low- (≥ 21) versus high-risk (< 21) MASCC scores are presented as absolute differences.ResultsOf 193 patients, few (2%, n = 3) had MASCC scores documented, but when calculated, 52% (n = 101) had a high-risk score (< 21). GOC were discussed in 12% (n = 24) of patients. Twenty one percent (n = 40) required intermediate/ICU level of care, and 12% (n = 23) died in the hospital. Those with a low-risk score were 33% less likely to require intermediate/ICU care (95% CI 23 to 44%) and 19% less likely to die in the hospital (95% CI 10% to 27%) compared to those with high-risk score.ConclusionsMASCC score was rarely used for hospitalized patients with FN, but high-risk score was associated with worse outcomes. Education efforts to incorporate MASCC score into the workflow may help identify patients at high risk for complications and help clinicians admit these patients to a higher level of care (e.g., intermediate/ICU care) or guide them to initiate earlier GOC discussions.

1228. The Role of Procalcitonin (PCT) and Lactic Acid in Febrile Neutropenic Cancer Patients in an Oncological Emergency Center

BackgroundProcalcitonin (PCT) and lactic acid have emerged as biomarkers that increase in bacterial infections/sepsis and have been used in conjunction with clinical judgment to guide antibiotic administration. The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk index has been used to classify the risk for patients with neutropenic fever. However this index includes subjective elements and complex metrics that make it difficult to use in an oncological emergency center (EC). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of serum PCT alone and in combination with lactate to predict bloodstream infections (BSI), hospitalization and 14 days mortality in febrile neutropenic cancer patients presenting to the EC.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of all febrile neutropenic cancer patients who presented to our EC between April 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019 and had a serum PCT and lactic acid levels done. Fever was defined either as a documented temperature of ≥100.4 °F or a chief complaint of fever reported at home. Neutropenia was defined as an absolute neutrophil count ≤500 cells/mL.ResultsWe included 550 cancer patients of which 385 (70%) had hematologic malignancies and 165 (30%) had solid tumors. A BSI was documented in 116 (21%) patients due to gram negative organisms in 66%, gram positive organisms in 30%, and both in 4%. A higher rate of mortality within 14 days of EC presentation was seen in patients whose PCT ≥ 0.25 compared to those with PCT < 0.25 (5.2% vs 0.7%; p=0.002). Similarly a higher rate of BSI and a longer hospital stay was seen in patients whose PCT ≥ 0.25 compared to those with PCT < 0.25. A PCT ≥ 0.25 or a lactate level >2.2 had a sensitivity of 93% and a negative predictive value of 100% for a 14 day mortality. A logistic regression analysis showed an association between BSI and hematological malignancy, PCT ≥ 0.25, and lacate level >2.2 mmole/L.ConclusionA PCT ≥ 0.25 was associated with BSI, LOS and 14 day mortality. The combination of PCT / serum lactate have a good sensitivity and high negative predictive value for BSI and mortality. Because this combination could be useful in identifying the high risk febrile patients requiring hospital admission, it will be compared to the standard but more labor intensive MASCC score index.Disclosures Issam I. Raad, MD, Citius (Other Financial or Material Support, Ownership interest)Cook Medical (Grant/Research Support)Inventive Protocol (Other Financial or Material Support, Ownership interest)Novel Anti-Infective Technologies (Shareholder, Other Financial or Material Support, Ownership interest)

Effect of serum uric acid level and Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer risk score on febrile neutropenia mortality.

The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of uric acid (UA) on the 30-day mortality of patients admitted to the tertiary referral hospital with a complaint of febrile neutropenia (FEN). The secondary aim was to evaluate the use of combining serum UA levels with the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk score. A retrospective study in which the MASCC score and serum UA levels were used to evaluate the mortality risk within 30days among patients with FEN. A total of 118 FEN episodes were included in the study and 17 (14%) of these patients died. While this rate is 23% in the high-risk group according to the MASCC score, it is 7% in the low-risk group (p= 0.011). In multivariate analysis of the parameters that significantly affect the 30-day FEN mortality, MASCC risk score (OR, 4.28; CI 95% 1.19-15.39, p= 0.013) and having a level of serum UA > 7mg/dL (OR, 4.46; CI 95% 1.19-15.38, p= 0.032) was significantly increased the risk of in 30-day mortality of FEN. The rate of 30-day mortality of FEN was 0% in patients with a low MASCC risk score and UA level compared with 50% in the high MASCC risk score and high UA level group, and the difference was statistically significant (p< 0.001). Increased level of UA at the time of FEN diagnosis was independently associated with an increased rate of 30-day mortality of FEN. The combination of the MASCC risk score and serum UA level might thoroughly predict the 30-day mortality of FEN.

Predictive Factors for Survival Outcomes of High-Risk Febrile Neutropenic Patients: a 3-Year Study at a Single Center in Thailand

Objective: This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with mortality in febrile neutropenic patients.  Materials and Methods: This 3-year, single center, retrospective, observational study was conducted at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital, Chiangrai Province, Thailand. The inclusion criteria consisted of a patient age of over 15 years and a diagnosis of febrile neutropenia. Results: Most of the 303 febrile neutropenic inpatients had a Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk score &lt; 21. The median length of stay was 6 days (interquartile range: 4-11 days). During 30 days of admission, 24.8% of the patients succumbed. In a univariate analysis, patients receiving G-CSF, the post-chemotherapy-related group, patients with MASCC score &gt; 16, and patients admitted in private had significantly higher survival rate. In a multivariate analysis, a MASCC score ≤ 16 and non-chemotherapy-related groups were associated with an increased mortality risk. Conclusion: The 30-day survival rate of febrile neutropenic patients in Thailand is seventy-five percent. Low MASCC score and non-chemotherapy-related neutropenia are associated with a higher risk of unfavorable outcomes.

Early Supported Discharge for patients with febrile neutropenia – Experience at a large district hospital in the UK

Neutropenic sepsis can be life threatening, with mortality 2-21%. The heterogeneity of patients referred with “suspected neutropenic sepsis” has led to strategies being developed to risk-stratify patients and identify those with a low risk of septic complications that could be managed in the outpatient setting, such as The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer score (MASCC). Outcomes for patients referred with suspected neutropenic sepsis were assessed before and after use of MASCC guided early-supported discharge. 50/123 (41%) patients over 24 months were eligible for early-supported discharge. 26/50 patients had same-day discharge, 14 had overnight admission, 8 stayed 2 nights and 2 stayed 3 nights. Patients received on average 2 follow-up telephone consultations. There were 5 readmissions (10%) and no adverse events. In comparison group; 8 patients over 3-months would have been suitable, potentially saving 40 bed-days. This shows MASCC guided early-supported discharge is safe and cost-effective.

Prognostic value of procalcitonin and lipopolysaccharide binding protein in cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated febrile neutropenia presenting to an emergency department.

IntroductionCancer patients with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia are a heterogeneous group with a significant risk of serious medical complications. In these patients, the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score is the most widely used tool for risk-stratification. The aim of this prospective study was to analyse the value of procalcitonin (PCT) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) to predict serious complications and bacteraemia in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia, compared with MASCC score.Materials and methodsData were collected from 111 episodes of febrile neutropenia admitted consecutively to the emergency department. In all of them, MASCC score was calculated and serum samples were collected for measurement of PCT and LBP by well-established methods. The main and secondary outcomes were the development of serious complications and bacteraemia, respectively.ResultsA serious complication occurred in 20 (18%) episodes and in 16 (14%) bacteraemia was detected. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC) of MASCC score, PCT and LBP to select low-risk patients were 0.83 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74 - 0.89), 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77 - 0.91) and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.61 - 0.78), respectively. For bacteraemia, MASCC score, PCT and LBP showed ROC AUCs of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.64 - 0.82), 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78 - 0.92) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.67 - 0.83), respectively.ConclusionA single measurement of PCT performs similarly as MASCC score to predict serious medical complications in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia and can be a useful tool for risk stratification. Besides, low PCT concentrations can be used to rule-out the presence of bacteraemia.

Comparison of the MASCC and CISNE scores for identifying low-risk neutropenic fever patients: analysis of data from three emergency departments of cancer centers in three continents.

Patients with febrile neutropenia are a heterogeneous group with a minority developing serious medical complications. Outpatient management of low-risk febrile neutropenia has been shown to be safe and cost-effective. Scoring systems, such as the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score and Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE), have been developed and validated to identify low-risk patients. We aimed to compare the performance of these two scores in identifying low-risk febrile neutropenic patients. We performed a pooled analysis of patients presenting with febrile neutropenia to three tertiary cancer emergency centers in the USA, UK, and South Korea in 2015. The primary outcome measures were the occurrence of serious complications. Admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and 30-day mortality were secondary outcomes. The predictive performance of each score was analyzed. Five hundred seventy-one patients presented with febrile neutropenia. With MASCC risk index, 508 (89.1%) were classified as low-risk febrile neutropenia, compared to 60 (10.5%) with CISNE classification. Overall, the MASCC score had a greater discriminatory power in the detection of low-risk patients than the CISNE score (AUC 0.772, 95% CI 0.726-0.819 vs. 0.681, 95% CI 0.626-0.737, p = 0.0024). Both MASCC and CISNE scores have reasonable discriminatory value in predicting patients with low-risk febrile neutropenia. Risk scores should be used in conjunction with clinical judgment for the identification of patients suitable for outpatient management of neutropenic fever. Developing more accurate scores, validated in prospective settings, will be useful in facilitating more patients being managed in an outpatient setting.

Improving the Management of Patients With Low-Risk Neutropenic Fever at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute.

Neutropenic fever (NF) is an oncologic emergency and has resulted historically in inpatient management. The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score can be used to identify patients with NF at a low risk of complications who can be managed safely as outpatients. Despite established guidelines supporting outpatient management of low-risk neutropenic fever (LRNF), provider awareness is low, and inpatient admission for intravenous antibiotics continues to be standard of care. Inpatient provider algorithm implementation and education began in the second quarter of 2014. Providers calculated MASCC scores for patients with nonleukemia hematologic malignancies and solid tumors at admission. Data were collected in a prospectively maintained registry. Patients identified as low risk by MASCC score were placed under observation and started on oral antibiotics. If exclusion criteria and social barriers were not identified, discharge within 48 hours was planned. Eighty-three patients with NF were admitted to the Taussig Cancer Institute inpatient oncology unit between November 2014 and June 2015. Fifty-three patients (64%) had LRNF by MASCC score. Patients with LRNF had an average length of stay of 3.3 days, compared with 6.2 days in our historical cohort. Sixteen patients (30%) were discharged within 24 hours. Only two patients with LRNF had a culture-proven infection, both Enterococcus urinary tract infections. Three patients required nonelective readmission. There were no deaths caused by NF. This pilot study demonstrates that a formal algorithm for LRNF management combined with provider education can improve current inpatient standard of care and length of stay without an increase in morbidity.

Application of the MASCC and CISNE Risk-Stratification Scores to Identify Low-Risk Febrile Neutropenic Patients in the Emergency Department

Although validated risk-stratification tools have been used to send low-risk febrile neutropenic patients home from clinic and inpatient settings, there is a dearth of research evaluating these scores in the emergency department (ED). We compare the predictive accuracy of the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE) scores for patients with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia and presenting to the ED. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate all patients with febrile neutropenia (temperature ≥38°C [100.4°F], absolute neutrophil count <1,000 cells/μL) who presented to 2 academic EDs from June 2012 through January 2015. MASCC and CISNE scores were calculated for all subjects, and each visit was evaluated for several outcome variables, including inpatient length of stay, upgrade in level of care, clinical deterioration, positive blood culture results, and death. Descriptive statistics are reported and continuous variables were analyzed with Wilcoxon rank sum. During our study period, 230 patients presented with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia. The CISNE score identified 53 (23%) of these patients as low risk and was highly specific in the identification of a low-risk cohort for all outcome variables (98.3% specific, 95% confidence interval [CI] 89.7% to 99.9%; positive predictive value 98.1%, 95% CI 88.6% to 99.9%). Median length of stay was shorter for low-risk versus high-risk CISNE patients (3-day difference; P<.001). The MASCC score was much less specific (54.2%; 95% CI 40.8% to 67.1%) in the identification of a low-risk cohort. Our results suggest that the CISNE score may be the most appropriate febrile neutropenia risk-stratification tool for use in the ED.

Improving the treatment of patients with low-risk neutropenic fever: A quality improvement project at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute (TCI).

101 Background: NF is an oncologic emergency and has historically resulted in inpatient (inpt) management. The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score can be used to identify NF pts at LR for complications who can be safely managed in the outpatient (outpt) setting. Despite established guidelines supporting outpt management of LRNF, provider awareness is low and inpt admission for intravenous antibiotics (abx) continues to be standard of care. Methods: A multidisciplinary team performed a QI project to improve management of LRNF (baseline cohort of LRNF pts treated from Jan - Mar 2014, N = 13). Inpt provider education began in the Q2 2014. Providers calculated MASCC scores for pts with non-leukemia hematologic malignancies and solid tumors at the time of admission. Data was collected in a prospectively maintained registry. Pts identified as LR by MASCC score were admitted under observation and placed on oral abx. If exclusion criteria and social barriers were not identified, discharge (dc) within 24 hrs of admission was planned. To ensure pt safety, close follow up included phone follow up within 48 hrs of dc and a provider visit within 72 hrs. Results: 52 pts were admitted to the TCI inpt oncology unit with NF from Oct 2014 - June 2015. 34 pts (65%) had LRNF (MASCC score, &lt; 21). 9 pts (26%) were dc within 24 hrs. Only 2 LRNF pts had a culture proven infection – both Enterococcus UTIs. 3 pts required readmission for reasons other than scheduled inpt chemotherapy: 1 high risk pt for new symptoms and 2 LRNF pts (22%) dc within 24 hours for recurrent fever; neither had culture proven infection. Pts with LRNF had an average LOS of 3.3 days compared to 6.2 days in the historical cohort. There were no deaths due to NF in either cohort. Conclusions: Calculating a MASCC score at admission identifies pts who are potential candidates for outpt, oral abx therapy. This pilot study demonstrates that provider education followed by implementation of a system to ensure close follow up may result in earlier dc for LRNF pts without increasing risk of complications or readmission. Further follow up will occur Q3 2015 and data will be presented on changes in cost measures.

Evaluation of febrile neutropenic episodes in adult patients with solid tumors.

The clinical use of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents has increased survival in cancer patients. However, treatment-associated bone marrow suppression and neutropenia often render patients prone to life-threatening infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate episodes of febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients with solid tumors, and identify the microorganisms and the factors affecting mortality. A total of 100 primary febrile attacks in cancer patients who were followed up at the Department of Oncology of the Akdeniz University Medical Faculty Hospital between January, 2011 and May, 2012, were retrospectively investigated. FN attacks were classified in three groups as follows: Fever of unknown origin, clinically documented infections and microbiologically documented infections. We found that prolonged neutropenia, Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score <21 and the presence of metastasis increased mortality. We also compared the three groups of infection categories according to mortality rate, but did not observe any significant differences among these groups. Patients with malignancies should be assessed individually during the FN episodes. It is crucial to keep possible infectious pathogens in mind and evaluate the MASCC score, neutropenia duration and metastatic status of the patients, and start empirical antibiotic therapy immediately.

A comparison of ED and direct admission care of cancer patients with febrile neutropenia

ObjectiveWe compared the quality of care in admitted febrile neutropenic cancer patients presenting through the emergency department (ED) vs those directly admitted (DA) from the clinic or infusion center. We hypothesized that the quality of care would be comparable between these 2 pathways. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study of all adult cancer patients hospitalized with subjective or objective fever (≥100.4°F) and documented neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count ≤1000/mm3) from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013, at 2 hospitals. Two investigators retrieved data including patient age, sex, race, tumor type, blood culture growth, temperature (actual or reported), pathway to admission (ED or DA), time to antibiotic administration, length of stay, and the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk score. The primary outcome measures were time to antibiotic administration, appropriateness of antibiotic(s) administered based on published guidelines, length of stay, and MASCC score–based risk assessment. We used the t test for the difference between 2 means with unequal population variances to compare these outcome measures between ED and DA patients. ResultsOne hundred twenty-seven visits met inclusion criteria (42 [33%] ED visits, 85 [67%] DA visits). Mean time to antibiotic administration, mean length of stay, appropriateness of antibiotics, and MASCC score–based risk assessment were comparable between ED and DA visits (P>.05 for all comparisons). ConclusionThe quality of care for febrile neutropenia in patients presenting through the ED was comparable to those directly admitted to the hospital in this 2-center study.

Fluoroquinolone resistance in bacteremic and low risk febrile neutropenic patients with cancer

BackgroundThe low risk febrile neutropenic patients with Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score of more than 20 are recommended to be treated with fluoroquinolone-based oral treatment by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline. This recommendation relies, at least partially, on the high sensitivity of the blood culture isolates to fluoroquinolone in clinical trials conducted in Western countries. Whether this also applies in middle or low income countries like China where antibiotic resistance is becoming prevalent recently has not been evaluated.MethodsAll the positive blood culture results from January 2010 to December 2013 in the 2 large Chinese cancer centers were reviewed. The patients were included into the study with the following criteria: febrile neutropenia, solid tumor or lymphoma, MASCC score >20, positive blood cultures within two days of the onset of fever, and detailed treatment history.ResultsA total of 38 patients were included in this analysis. Two patients had polymicrobial bacteremia (Enterococcus faecalis and Flavimonas oryzihabitans). Other isolates included coagulase-negative staphylococcus, micrococcal species, viridans streptococci, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli. The majority of the monomicrobial isolates from these 36 patients was Escherichia coli (28 patients, 74%). Notably, in contrast to the high sensitivity to fluoroquinolone from blood culture of the low risk patients in previous reports in Westen countries, a very high drug resistance was observed: 13 out of 28 Escherichia coli isolates (46%) or 14 out of all 38 positive cultures (37%).ConclusionThe results warrant further validations in prospective clinical trials in countries where antibiotic resistance is prevalent to ensure appropriate antibiotic administration.

Pattern of infection, therapy, outcome and risk stratification of patients with febrile neutropenia in a tertiary care oncology hospital in India.

Indian febrile neutropenia (FN) data are limited, especially in adult solid tumor patients. The aim was to study patterns of presentation, source of infection, management and outcome and to evaluate the factors which may correlate with outcome. A retrospective analysis of prospective data of FN patients at a tertiary care oncology teaching hospital in India between 2007 and 2012. A standardized form was filled for each patient. Patient management was at the discretion of the treating physician. Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score was retrospectively calculated. Failure of therapy was defined as death, organ failure, shifting from outpatient to inpatient or requirement of intensive care support. SPSS version 16 was used for analysis. A total of 388 FN episodes were included: 256 in hematolymphoid and 132 in solid tumor patients. 156 episodes were high-risk by MASCC score. Focus of infection was clinical in 45% and radiologic in 16%. Blood cultures were positive in 18% cases, most commonly Gram-negative organisms (72%). 93% patients were treated with an antibiotic combination of third-generation cephalosporin/beta-lactamase inhibitor, with aminoglycoside or fluoroquinolone. Antibiotic sensitivity to ceftriaxone was low at 38% while sensitivity to cefoperazone/sulbactam and piperacillin/tazobactam ranged between 50% and 55% and for carbapenems 75%. Failure of therapy occurred in 156 episodes, most commonly due to the need for second line antibiotics. Mortality was 5.5%. On univariate analysis, MASCC score, age, type of malignancy, prophylactic growth factors, presence of focus of infection, hemoglobin and nadir platelet count correlated with FN complications. Gram-negative bacteremia continues to be the predominant cause of FN in our setup.