Warnock, C., Totterdell, P. orcid.org/0000-0002-5335-2611, Tod, A.M. orcid.org/0000-0001-6336-3747 et al. (3 more authors) (2018) The role of temperature in the detection and diagnosis of neutropenic sepsis in adult solid tumour cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 37. pp. 12-18. ISSN 1462-3889
Abstract
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to examine the value of temperature as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of infection and sepsis in neutropenic patients. A secondary aim was to gain insight into the presenting symptoms reported by these patients at home or on their initial admission assessment. Methods: A cohort study was carried out using a case note review of 220 emergency admissions to a regional cancer centre. All participants were neutropenic and were diagnosed with infection on admission. The main outcome measures were relationships between Early Warning Scores and temperature values at home, on admission and during the hospital stay. Results: 22% of patients who became acutely unwell did not have a fever. Pearson correlations showed only small associations between highest temperature value at any time point and highest early warning scores (r(202) = 0.176, P =.012). Temperature at home (B = 0.156, P =.336) and temperature on admission (B = 0.200, P =.052) did not predict highest Early Warning Scores. Conclusions: Body temperature is not a consistently reliable diagnostic or prognostic indicator for outcomes in patients with neutropenia and symptoms of infection. It can assist with early presentation and recognition of infection in many neutropenic patients. However, over-reliance on temperature risks missing the opportunity for early detection and treatment.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 Elsevier. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in European Journal of Oncology Nursing. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. Article available under the terms of the CC-BY-NC-ND licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Neutropenia; Neutropenic sepsis; Infection; Chemotherapy; Temperature |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Nursing and Midwifery (Sheffield) The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Psychology (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 23 Nov 2018 12:51 |
Last Modified: | 21 Oct 2019 00:40 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2018.10.001 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.ejon.2018.10.001 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:137989 |