Reduction of Inappropriate Prophylactic Pegylated Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Use for Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Who Receive Chemotherapy: An ASCO Quality Training Program Project of the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute.

Purpose: Routine prophylactic pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (pGCSF) administration for patients receiving chemotherapy regimens associated with low risk (< 10%) for neutropenic fever (LRNF) is not recommended. Inappropriate use of pGCSF increases patient morbidity and health care costs.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team reviewed the charts of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the Taussig Cancer Institute in whom a new chemotherapy regimen was initiated from April through November 2013.

Reducing Time to Antibiotic Administration for Febrile Neutropenia in the Emergency Department.

Purpose: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is an oncologic emergency, and prolonged time to antibiotic administration (TTA) is associated with increased hospital length of stay (LOS) and worse outcomes. We hypothesized that a febrile neutropenia pathway (FNP) quality initiative project would reduce TTA delays for febrile patients with cancer presenting to the emergency department (ED).

Methods: This prospective study compared ED FNP patients (> 18 years old), between June 2012 and June 2013 with both historical and direct admissions (DA) cohorts at a multispecialty academic center.

Use of atropine-diphenoxylate compared with hyoscyamine to decrease rates of irinotecan-related cholinergic syndrome.

Background: Cholinergic syndrome is a well established acute adverse reaction associated with irinotecan. Cholinergic side effects can be ameliorated or prevented with anticholinergic agents. To date, no formal studies have compared atropine-diphenoxylate and hyoscyamine as premedications for prophylaxis of the cholinergic syndrome with irinotecan infusion.

Rates of febrile neutropenia with pegfilgrastim on same day versus next day of CHOP with or without rituximab.

Febrile neutropenia is a complication of myleotoxic chemotherapy that can markedly decrease quality of life and increase healthcare costs. A granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used to increase neutrophil production to reduce the risk of developing febrile neutropenia. However, G-CSF administered on the same day as chemotherapy can worsen and prolong neutropenia.