| Sumario: | Significance & Background: While providing chemo-therapy education to patients in the oncology practice, it was noted that a significant number did not have a thermometer at home. Many of the treatments being provided carry a high risk for neutropenic fever, and early identification of temperatures > 100.4F can help prevent hospitalizations and treatment delays. For some patients, purchasing a thermometer, hand sanitizer, and facemasks can be cost prohibitive, placing them at risk for complication. Purpose: This project aims to identify treatment plans with a high risk of neutropenic fever and provides those patients with a packet that contains more specific information on neutropenia. The packet contains a symptom management guide with instructions for when and how to call the clinic with new symptoms, a digital thermometer, two small bottles of hand sanitizer, and a few disposable ear loop masks. The first intended outcome of this project is to help offset the cost of basic supplies to monitor temperature and help prevent the spread of infection. The goal being to decrease ED and hospital admissions for neutropenic fever and/or sepsis. To measure the results, we will utilize Epic reports to assess the number of admissions that correlate to patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, to determine if the overall number was impacted after this project is initiated. Interventions: The symptom management guide is printed and laminated, and a general handout on neutropenia from the CDC was printed for the packets. The thermometers, masks and hand sanitizer were all priced and presented to the organization's Foundation to secure funding amounting to $3.46 per packet. The educational handouts were printed and provided to the director of the ED as well as to the inpatient Medical/Oncology floor. This allows for consistency in education and expectations for the patients at all possible access points of presentation. Education is provided in the clinic with chemotherapy teaching for plans that contain GCSF. If this is added on later, the education is given at that time. Follow up is completed by the provider's nurse at various points during treatment assessments. Results: The project is slated to go-live October 1, 2025. We anticipate the provision of basic supplies and education on neutropenia will help offset some costs for our vulnerable patients and will have a measurable effect on hospitalizations for neutropenic fever. Discussion: In process.
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