Intravenous chemotherapy at home: A pediatric monocentric experience

Introduction > Our home care unit (HCU) developed the administration of IV chemotherapy at home for some pediatric oncologic patients. Methods > We conducted a retrospective monocentric analysis, leading to identify patients with at least one sequence of chemotherapy at home in 2015. Results > Two hundred and forty four sequences of home chemotherapy have been administered in 2015. We identified two situations for home IV chemotherapy. Pediatric oncologist of day hospital prescribes the sequence. The chemotherapy is delivered at hospital for the first day. HCU takes over for the next days at home. For a sequence replacing a conventional hospitalization, the attending physician examines the patient, and confirm the clinical validation. The pediatric oncologist of HCU checks lab exams, and prescribes the chemotherapy. For both situations, IV chemotherapy is prepared by our hospital pharmacy, delivers at home or at day hospital, and HCU team manages home material and organizes hospitalization. Conclusions > This kind of organization allows setting up home IV CT for more and more patients. It allows to limit daily hospitalization for some patients living far from the hospital, and whose therapies lead to several hospitalizations.