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• Neutropenia
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Pan-European Nurse Survey

The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) conducted a survey in collaboration with Amgen to assess knowledge and current practice in preventing and managing neutropenia/febrile neutropenia (FN) during chemotherapy treatment. A parallel survey of patients was conducted in association with PatientView. The survey was available for nurses on EONS website between September - December 2009.

473 patients and 217 nurses in nine European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, UK & Ireland) responded.

The findings show that nurses recognise prevention of infection and FN as being important for achieving a successful outcome in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Almost all nurses surveyed discussed with patients their personal risk of developing infection or FN and how to minimise risk. However, the results from the patient survey show that many patients do not understand, or are unaware of the risk of, developing neutropenia/FN infection and the potential impact of this on their chemotherapy and treatment outcome.

The results of this survey suggest that there may be a need for improved communication between healthcare professionals and patients to provide understandable and timely information about prevention and management of chemotherapy induced neutropenia/FN.

For more information click on the link to the poster presented at EONS 7.

>>  View the poster