More than 90% of the nurses agreed that preventing infections including FN is extremely/very
important for a successful chemotherapy outcome and said that they, or other health professionals in
their practice, advised patients about these issues. Most (90%) indicated that they favoured giving
treatment to protect against FN and infections in chemotherapy patients at risk, rather than treating
infection after it develops, but 82% expressed concern over patient concordance with measures
employed. A substantial proportion of patients reported emergency room visits, hospitalization and/or
chemotherapy delays or changes as a result of neutropenia, infection or FN. However, only 44% said that
their infection risk was discussed with them before starting chemotherapy.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that nurses recognise the importance of reducing the risk of infection
and FN in patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as the need to educate patients. However, results of
the patient survey suggest a need for better patient education