Amgen Release: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Introduces Important New Educational Resources to Prevent Infections in Cancer Patients

October 25, 2011 |

4 min read

Patient website and infection control plan developed for outpatient oncology clinics will help prevent infections and hospitalizations in a vulnerable population

ATLANTA, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is introducing two new educational resources as part of the Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients program. The comprehensive program, first announced in 2009, provides information, action steps and tools for patients, their caregivers and their healthcare providers to reduce their risk of developing potentially life-threatening infections during chemotherapy treatment. The new resources include an interactive Web site for cancer patients and caregivers, and a Basic Infection Control and Prevention Plan for Outpatient Oncology Settings.

“Some chemotherapy treatments cause low white blood cell counts and place patients at risk for developing serious infections,” said Lisa Richardson, M.D., M.P.H., an oncologist and associate director for science in CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “This new easy-to-use educational program is an example of how CDC works to help people live longer, stronger, and safer lives.”

Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients was developed by experts from CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control and CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion in collaboration with scientists in the fields of oncology and infection control. The program was made possible by a grant from Amgen to the CDC Foundation.

The interactive Web site, 3 Steps Towards Preventing Infections During Cancer Treatment, helps cancer patients assess their risk for developing a low white blood cell count, a condition called neutropenia, during chemotherapy. Neutropenia is a common and potentially dangerous side effect in patients receiving strong chemotherapy treatments that can lead to a higher risk of infection. Cancer patients and caregivers complete a short online questionnaire about their risk factors and receive downloadable information about how to help lower their risk for infection and keep themselves healthy while receiving chemotherapy. The resource is available online at www.preventcancerinfections.org.

Since most cancer patients receive chemotherapy and treatment in outpatient settings (physicians’ offices), CDC experts identified key policies and procedures in CDC’s existing guidelines for infection control in outpatient settings and customized them to meet the specific needs of outpatient oncology facilities. The Basic Infection Control and Prevention Plan for Outpatient Oncology Settings provides specific guidelines on injection safety, hand hygiene, environmental disinfection, and other related areas. The plan outlines how the guidelines should be applied in outpatient settings where cancer patients receive chemotherapy and ongoing treatment. The plan and an associated checklist are accessible online at www.cdc.gov/cancer/preventinfections.

“Infection in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality,” said Sean Harper, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president of Global Development at Amgen. “By bringing together experts in oncology and infection control to raise awareness of this public health concern, we hope to empower patients, their caregivers and healthcare providers to take necessary steps to prevent infection.”

As part of the comprehensive program, CDC produced a collection of posters, patient brochures, and a fact sheet. Additionally, CDC is reaching out to professional physician and patient advocacy organizations to help raise awareness of this serious health concern and the available resources. The educational materials are available online at www.cdc.gov/cancer/preventinfections.

The program is part of a larger portfolio of partnerships developed through the CDC Foundation to support CDC’s work 24/7 to protect people, save lives and save money through prevention. Learn more about CDC at www.cdc.gov.

About the CDC Foundation
Established by Congress, the CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do more, faster, by forging effective partnerships between CDC and corporations, foundations and individuals to fight threats to health and safety. The CDC Foundation manages approximately 200 public health programs in the United States and in countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.cdcfoundation.org.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science’s promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.