One of the most common and potentially life-threatening side effects of chemotherapy is neutropenia and the subsequent development of infections. Infections in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may lead to hospitalization, disruptions in chemotherapy schedules, and in some cases, can be life threatening. Cancer patients who are treated with chemotherapy are more likely to get infections.
In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC Foundation managed the Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients program between 2009 and 2021. This initiative focused on providing information, action steps and tools for patients, their families and their healthcare providers to reduce the risk of developing potentially life-threatening infections during treatment:
- Three websites were launched for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers to help recognize the signs of infection and take action.
- Developed and launched a bilingual website in English and Spanish featuring educational information and resources for people with cancer, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The website included a short questionnaire that helped asses a person’s risk level for developing an infection during chemotherapy treatment, and then provided evidence-based tips for how to recognize the signs of an infection, prevent an infection, and what to do if you develop an infection.
- Developed TINA and TINA en Español, virtual human simulations that deliver on-demand compassionate support for cancer patients. These tools have led to improvements in patient awareness of the risks of neutropenia.
- More than 60 types of campaign materials, including fact sheets, posters, infographics, videos, PSAs and postcards were developed for providers and patients.
- For providers, a variety of resources and training tools were developed, including two continuing education offerings on Medscape and a Basic Infection Control and Prevention Plan that was disseminated to more than 5,000 outpatient oncology clinics. The plan was developed for outpatient oncology settings that outlines infection control policies and procedures—such as injection safety, hand hygiene and environmental disinfection—that can be tailored to any oncology clinic.
- As a result of the program, more than 90 percent of outpatient oncology facilities surveyed would adopt some or all of the Basic Infection Control and Prevention Plan, and there was a nearly a 50 percent improvement in cancer patients indicating they received infection prevention education from their provider.
- These efforts had a potential audience reach of more than 1.5 billion people.