Evaluating complications in cancer patients with neutropenic fever for home care

A Descriptive Study of Major Complications in Oncology Patients With Neutropenic Fever Potentially Eligible for a Hospital at Home Program

Observational M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT04557709

This study looks at cancer patients with neutropenic fever to see how often they face serious complications when treated at home instead of in the hospital.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment126 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
Trial IDNCT04557709 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the rate of major complications in cancer patients who may be eligible for a 'hospital at home' program for managing neutropenic fever. The primary objective is to estimate the complication rate among these patients, while secondary objectives include describing their demographic and clinical characteristics and identifying treatments that may be challenging to deliver at home. The study involves a review of patients' medical charts from those admitted to MD Anderson Cancer Center with neutropenic fever. Insights gained could inform the development of future home care programs.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are cancer patients admitted with neutropenic fever who are at low risk for major complications.

Not a fit: Patients residing in nursing homes, experiencing homelessness, enrolled in hospice, or with high-risk clinical features may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved management of neutropenic fever in cancer patients, allowing for safer and more comfortable home care options.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of hospital at home programs is gaining traction, this specific approach to managing neutropenic fever in cancer patients is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Admitted to MD Anderson Cancer Center through the Emergency Center with a diagnosis of neutropenic fever between 1/1/2019 and 12/31/2019
* Be at low risk for major complications as defined by a Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score \< 21

Exclusion Criteria:

* Reside in a nursing home
* Homelessness
* Hospice enrollment
* A secondary reason for admission to the hospital or high risk clinical feature not captured in the MASCC score that places them at high risk for major complications in a hospital at home program

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Cell NeoplasmMalignant Solid Neoplasm
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.