Matt Fowler looks at how new tools to assess the possibility of septic complications can guide future care options

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK advocates that patients with neutropenia who are at low risk of developing septic complications should be considered for management in the community rather than in hospital. The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk index is widely used to identify patients who are deemed to be at low risk of developing septic complications as a result of febrile neutropenia (FN), but it has limitations. A newer tool, the Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE), further stratifies patients who may be suitable for management in the community. This article uses a case study to explore the management of a patient who presented with suspected FN. It examines the use of the MASCC risk index and the CISNE to make recommendations for the future management of patients with low-risk FN in the community.