Guidelines
Febrile Neutropenia

Febrile Neutropenia

Introduction

Diagnostic Criteria

Fever is defined as a single oral temperature of 38.3°C or greater or a temperature of 38°C or greater for 1 hour or more.

Neutropenia is defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 0.5 x 10⁹/L or less, or an ANC of 1 x 10⁹/L or less, with a predicted decrease to 0.5 x 10⁹/L or less within 48 hours.

Risk Assessment

Febrile neutropenia is considered an oncologic emergency and timely assessment and initiation of empiric therapy is indicated.

Recommended Tests and Cultures

Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee

  • Sept 2016

Drugs and Therapeutics Committee

  • February 2017

Original Approval Date

  • 11/11/2004

Revision Dates

  • 19/05/2005
  • 19/01/2017