Updated Guidelines on the Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Neutropenic Patients with Cancer

Target Population: Clinicians involved in preventing and managing infections in cancer patients who are neutropenic secondary to chemotherapy or to intentional immunosuppression for transplantation

Type: Evidence-based consensus guidelines using a categorical rating system

Key Points: These guidelines update and expand on a document that was last revised in 2002. They emphasize algorithm-driven antimicrobial administration based on risk for infection — and for complications of infection — in a given patient. They distinguish between high- and low-risk situations predicated on such factors as anticipated duration of neutropenia (<7 days vs. longer), degree of neutropenia, clinical …