Table 1 Areas highlighted by NCEPOD in management of neutropenic sepsis

From: A prospective study of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in the South West London Cancer Network. Interpretation of study results in light of NCAG/NCEPOD findings

Organisational

Clinical

Patient

No neutropenic policy in A and E departments

Failure of junior doctors to make diagnosis

Insufficient information that risk of neutropenic sepsis may continue

Clinicians unaware of neutropenic sepsis policy

Lack of early assessment by senior medical staff

Patients not obtaining advice when unwell

Inappropriate place of care for neutropenic sepsis

Delayed admission to hospital and transfer to intensive care

 

Infrequent visits to cancer units by oncologist

Unacceptable delay in resuscitation

 
 

Delayed antibiotic prescription and administration

 
 

Different antibiotics to those outlined in policy

 
 

Staff unaware neutropenic sepsis can occur without fever

 
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