Guidance on initial antibiotic management of adults (18 years and over) with febrile neutropenia OR immunocompromised with sepsis of unknown source
SAPG guidance on the initial antibiotic management of neutropenic sepsis and febrile neutropenia in adult cancer patients was initially published in July 2019. Following an evidence review and consultation, new guidance has now been developed. The initial version of the guidance was developed by the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group in collaboration with the regional cancer networks and the Scottish Microbiology and Virology Network.
The updated guidance includes a new low-risk pathway that supports outpatient management of patients who meet specified low risk clinical and social criteria. It also includes moderate and high-risk pathways for inpatient management.
To support the use of the updated guidance, SAPG is developing a step-by-step management guide that clinicians can use alongside the updated guidance. This detailed user guide will be published shortly.
Content updated Jan 2025. For review Nov 2026.