Breaking the Habit: Early Discontinuation of Antibiotics in Febrile Neutropenia Webinar

Febrile neutropenia is a medical emergency that cancer patients face. However, antibiotic resistance is a global threat. Managing antibiotics for these vulnerable patients is a delicate balancing act. We want to maximize clinical benefit while minimizing unintended consequences. Historically it was thought that antibiotics should be continued until neutrophil recovery to reduce mortality. New evidence suggests otherwise. 

This webinar discussed febrile neutropenia management, and reviewed evidence supporting early discontinuation of antibiotics in patients with no identified source of infection. It also highlighted principals of antimicrobial resistance. As well as demonstrating an antimicrobial stewardship initiative that was implemented at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, by applying this evidence. 

Learning Objectives

• Define febrile neutropenia and understand empiric management. 
• Understand principals of antibiotic resistance. 
• Analyze evidence supporting the safety of early discontinuation of antibiotics in febrile neutropenia patients, without a source of infection. 
• Apply antimicrobial stewardship initiative to febrile neutropenia patient. 

About the author

Kyia Hynes

Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Cancer Care Alberta — calgary, Alberta

Kyia graduated from Memorial University's School of Pharmacy in 2018. She then went on to complete an Accredited Canadian Residency Program in 2019 at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Alberta. This was an oncology-focused program, where most of her training was in hematology. Since completing her residency, she has worked in the blood and marrow transplant clinic at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre until 2022. She has since transitioned to inpatient hematology/BMT and is a clinical pharmacist at the Arthur Child Cancer Centre in Calgary. She is interested in infectious disease post-transplant and CAR T-cell/BiTE therapy.