Impact of an electronic tool in prescribing primary prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for breast cancer patients receiving TC chemotherapy.

backgroundThe US Oncology Trial 9735 (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) versus docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC)) reported febrile neutropenia (FN) in 5 % of patients receiving TC chemotherapy, in the absence of routine primary prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or antibiotics. In contrast, higher rates of FN have been reported in the 'real world' setting. This retrospective study compares the incidence and severity of FN and other TC-related toxicities before and after implementation of a primary prophylaxis computerized prescribing tool.

methodsMedical records of 207 patients receiving adjuvant TC between May 1, 2006, and November 1, 2011, were reviewed for toxicity. The incidence for each TC adverse event was measured by an incident rate ratio (IRR), and chi-square analysis was used to compare the differences in severity of TC toxicities before and after use of a primary prophylaxis computerized prescribing tool, and to compare G-CSF and ciprofloxacin groups.

resultsThe implementation of a computerized prescribing tool significantly increased the proportion of patients prescribed primary prophylaxis (18.2 vs. 97.4 %; p < 0.001). Prior to the change in practice, the incidence of FN (incidence rate ratio 3.87; 95 % CI [1.3, 11.5]) and neutropenia (OR 4.8; 95 % CI [2.0, 11.7]) was significantly higher. Primary prophylaxis significantly reduced the rate of febrile neutropenia (20 vs. 5.3 %, p = 0.003). No significant differences were found in incidence and severity of other TC-related toxicities. Patients who did not receive G-CSF were at a greater risk for neutropenia (OR 5.1, 95 % CI [1.06, 24.3]). There were insufficient patients treated with antibiotics alone to compare to those treated with G-CSF.

conclusionsImplementation of a computerized prescribing tool significantly increased the use of primary prophylaxis by treating physicians in patients receiving TC chemotherapy, which was associated with reduced incidence of febrile neutropenia. Further research efforts should focus on the incorporation and routine use of evidence-based practices using tools such as alerts and prompts, in order to optimize patient care and improve outcomes.