The costs of treating febrile neutropenia in six U.K. Hospitals.

The cost of treating an episode of febrile neutropenia (FNE) in patients with solid tumours was estimated from the expert opinions of six consultant oncologists in six hospitals in England. Hospital, antibiotic, therapeutic and diagnostic test costs were collected. Hospitalisation, representing 62% of costs, was the largest single factor contributing to the mean cost per FNE of 1541 pounds. If granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (filgrastim) can reduce the length of stay of such patients, then the savings will partly offset the cost of the drug.