American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
-
A case study of the clinical and economic impact of filgrastim in cancer patients in the home care setting is described. The risk of febrile neutropenia is greatly reduced when filgrastim therapy is begun prophylactically after a course of antineoplastic drug therapy. Such use of filgrastim may also reduce the need for hospitalization, prevent mucositis, and enable the next course of chemotherapy to be administered on schedule. ⋯ The total charge for hospital treatment of these episodes would be $112,924 (bed charge and pharmacy charge). The difference suggests a potential savings of $90,524 from home care for this small group of patients. Treating febrile neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients at home is effective and cost-efficient if the patients are clinically stable and prophylactic filgrastim therapy has been started after the completion of cancer chemotherapy.