Evaluation of a home intravenous antibiotic program in pediatric oncology.

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.