Role of the Residents in management of neutropenic patients
Neutropenia (noo-troe-PEE-nee-uh) is an abnormally low level of neutrophils. Neutrophils are a common type of white blood cell important to fighting off infections — particularly those caused by bacteria. For adults, counts of less than 1,500 neutrophils per microliter of blood are considered to be neutropenia.
Neutropenic precautions are steps you can take to prevent infections if you have moderate to severe neutropenia. Neutropenia is a condition that causes you to have low neutrophils in your blood. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that help your body fight infection and bacteria.
The normal neutrophil (a type of WBC) count is 2,500 - 6,000. When you have 1,000 or fewer neutrophils, your risk for infection is increased. When your Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is lower than 500, you are at risk for getting a serious infection. This condition is called “neutropenia.”