Neutropenic sepsis: prevention, identification and treatment.

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia may result in significant physical, social and emotional consequences for patients receiving anticancer therapy. Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia also leads to delays in treatment and reductions in dose intensity. In some cases neutropenia may be prevented by the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, but it remains one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. Patients who are neutropenic have a reduced ability to fight infection and are at increased risk of developing neutropenic sepsis. Nurses need to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of neutropenic sepsis to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. There are evidence-based pathways for the treatment of patients with neutropenic sepsis and nurses have the potential to develop services and initiatives to support best practice for this group of patients.