Incorporating Absolute Phagocyte Count With Absolute Neutrophil Count as a Measure for Safe Discharge for Pediatric Oncology Febrile Neutropenia: A Pilot Study.

Adequate bone marrow recovery is a discharge requirement after admission for febrile neutropenia in oncology patients, without specific threshold in consensus guidelines. In January 2016, our institution implemented count recovery criteria of absolute neutrophil count ≥100 cells/μL and absolute phagocyte count ≥300 cells/μL compared with prior criteria of absolute neutrophil count ≥500 cells/μL. Retrospective analysis comparing pre (July 2013 to December 2015, N=68) and post (January 2016 to June 2018, N=30) groups showed no difference in readmissions (P>0.9), no patient deaths, and decreased average length of stay in the post group (P<0.0001). Updated count recovery criteria seem feasible and safe.