B Parish1, T Cooksley2, P Haji-Michael3. 1. University of Manchester. 2. Consultant in Acute Medicine, University Hospital of South Manchester. 3. Consultant in Critical Care, The Christie Hospital, Manchester.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: First dose intravenous antimicrobial therapy should be administered within 1 hour of admission but this is achieved in a minority of patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis at the largest Oncology hospital in Europe. Nurse-led administration of initial antibiotic therapy was introduced to the admissions unit. RESULTS: The nurse led protocol increased compliance with the 1 hour target from 40% to 88.6%. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean length of stay (p=0.045) which was more pronounced in the neutropenic population (p=0.006). There was a trend to improved 30 day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: A nurse led protocol can be effective in improving compliance with the 1 hour target. Early administration of intravenous antibiotics in cancer patients with sepsis is associated with a shorter length of inpatient stay and a trend to decreased mortality.
INTRODUCTION: First dose intravenous antimicrobial therapy should be administered within 1 hour of admission but this is achieved in a minority of patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis at the largest Oncology hospital in Europe. Nurse-led administration of initial antibiotic therapy was introduced to the admissions unit. RESULTS: The nurse led protocol increased compliance with the 1 hour target from 40% to 88.6%. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean length of stay (p=0.045) which was more pronounced in the neutropenic population (p=0.006). There was a trend to improved 30 day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: A nurse led protocol can be effective in improving compliance with the 1 hour target. Early administration of intravenous antibiotics in cancerpatients with sepsis is associated with a shorter length of inpatient stay and a trend to decreased mortality.