Development of a Care and Surveillance System for Febrile Neutropenia in Hematologic Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Authors

  • Nongnuch Meesatiant Sawanpracharak Hospital
  • Worawut Khaothong Sawanpracharak Hospital
  • Saranya Hongmen Sawanpracharak Hospital
  • Priya Kraisorn Sawanpracharak Hospital

Keywords:

System development, Care and surveillance, Hematologic malignancy, Chemotherapy, Febrile neutropenia

Abstract

Objective: To develop a care and surveillance system for febrile neutropenia in hematologic malignancy patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: This was a two-cycle research and development study aimed at developing a care and surveillance system for hematologic malignancy patients receiving chemotherapy. The sample consisted of hematologic malignancy patients receiving chemotherapy at the chemotherapy unit, monk patient ward, and medical ward at Sawanpracharak Hospital. Research instruments included a febrile neutropenia risk assessment form, Flow Fast Track Febrile Neutropenia protocol, and guidelines for care and surveillance of febrile neutropenia in hematologic malignancy patients receiving chemotherapy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, percentage, mean, and standard deviation), binary logistic regression, and paired t-test. The study consisted of two phases: Phase 1 (pre-development phase) included Step 1: problem assessment (R1) and Step 2: first system development (D1) using the nursing systems theory framework, comprising 1) planning, 2) implementation (R2), and 3) first evaluation. Phase 2 (second system development, D2) comprised 1) planning, 2) implementation (R3), and 3) system evaluation.

Results: The care and surveillance system for febrile neutropenia in hematologic malignancy patients receiving chemotherapy consisted of 7 components: 1) multidisciplinary team, 2) guidelines and standards, 3) resources and tools, 4) education and information provision, 5) monitoring and evaluation system, 6) facilities, and 7) communication and coordination, with 6 operational steps. Results from the two-phase system evaluation showed 6 cases of febrile neutropenia in the pre-experimental phase, 6 cases in Phase 1, and 4 cases in Phase 2. Compared to the pre-experimental phase, the incidence of febrile neutropenia decreased from 22.5% to 9.5%. The severity of febrile neutropenia decreased, and no high-risk cases were found in Phase 2.

Conclusion: This study found that implementing the care and surveillance system for febrile neutropenia in hematologic malignancy patients receiving chemotherapy reduced the incidence and severity of febrile neutropenia.

Keywords: System development, Care and surveillance, Hematologic malignancy, Chemotherapy, Febrile neutropenia

References

Wong P. Hematologic Malignancies in Clinical Practice. Phitsanulok: Naresuan University Press; 2023.

Eichhorst B, Robak T, Montserrat E, Ghia P, Niemann CU, Kater AP, et al. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2021;(1):23-33. Doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.09.019.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma. Version 3.2025, April 2 2025 [Internet]. Fort Washington (PA): NCCN; 2025. Available from: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/cll.pdf

Wijeratne DT, Wright K, Gyawali B. Risk-Stratifying Treatment Strategies for Febrile Neutropenia-Tools, Tools Everywhere, and Not a Single One That Works? JCO Oncol Pract. 2021;17(11):651-4. Doi: 10.1200/OP.21.00148.

Taplitz RA, Kennedy EB, Bow EJ, Crews J, Gleason C, Hawley DK, et al. Outpatient management of fever and neutropenia in adults treated for malignancy: American Society of Clinical Oncology and Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guideline update. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36(14):1443-53. Doi: 10.1200/JCO.2017.77.6211

กลุ่มงานเวชระเบียนและข้อมูลทางการแพทย์ [อินเทอร์เน็ต]. นครสวรรค์: โรงพยาบาลสวรรค์ประชารักษ์; 2567. [เข้าถึงเมื่อวันที่ 25 มกราคม 2568]. เข้าถึงได้จาก: https://static.spr.go.th/uploads/2567.pdf

Donabedian A. An introduction to quality assurance in health care. New York: Oxford University Press; 2003.

Subcommittee for the Development of Guidelines for the Treatment and Prevention of Fever in Hematologic Malignancy Patients with Neutropenia. Guidelines for the treatment and prevention of fever in hematologic malignancy patients with neutropenia, 2024 edition[internet]. [Place unknown]: [Publisher unknown]; 2024. [cited 2025 Feb 22]. Available from: https://www.tsh.or.th/Activity/Detail/372

Woraphanwisit T, Paritsiraprapha C, Rojanarak W. Prevention of febrile neutropenia in patients with acute leukemia: nursing role. Royal Thai Army Nurses Journal. 2020;21(3):11-7.

KYLE C. MOLINA. Best Practices in the Management of Infectious Complications for Patients With Cancer: Management of Febrile Neutropenia[internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Jan 18]. Avialable from: https://doi.org/10.6004/jadpro.2023.14.3.4

Kaewinta Y. Effectiveness of an information program on knowledge of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at Lampang Cancer Hospital [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 Jan 14]. Available from: https://www.lpch.go.th/lpch/index.php/page/overall/menu-journal

วัจนา เนคมานุรักษ์, ลดาวัลย์ ฤทธิ์กล้า. การพัฒนาแนวปฏิบัติทางการพยาบาลในการป้องกันภาวะเม็ดเลือดขาวต่ำและมีไข้ (febrile neutropenia) ในผู้ป่วยที่ได้รับเคมีบำบัด. วารสารโรงพยาบาลธรรมศาสตร์เฉลิมพระเกียรติ. 2564;6(2):20-7.

Published

2026-01-15

How to Cite

มีเสถียร นงค์นุช, ขาวทอง วรวุฒิ, หงส์เม่น ศรัญญา, and ไกรสร ปรียา. 2026. “Development of a Care and Surveillance System for Febrile Neutropenia in Hematologic Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy”. Region 3 Medical and Public Health Journal - วารสารวิชาการแพทย์และสาธารณสุข เขตสุขภาพที่ 3 23 (1). Nakhonsawan Thailand. https://thaidj.org/index.php/smj/article/view/17166.

Issue

Section

นิพนธ์ต้นฉบับ (Original Article)