http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4047.pdf
http://www.survivorshipguidelines.org/pdf/SplenicPrecautions.pdf
Health Link
Healthy living after treatment for childhood cancer
Splenic Precautions
Version 2.0 - 3/06
Copyright 2006 © Children’s Oncology Group
All rights reserved worldwide Page 4 of 5
Wallet Card for Patients Without a Functioning Spleen
Written by Teresa Sweeney, RN, MSN, CPNP, After Completion of Therapy (ACT) Clinic, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.
Reviewed by Smita Bhatia, MD, MPH, Julie Blatt, MD, Melissa M. Hudson, MD, Kevin Oeffinger, MD, Lise
Yasui, Wendy Landier, CPNP, Lisa Bashore, MS, RN, CPNP, CPON® and the COG Late Effects Committee.
Illustrated by Devika Bhatia.
Medical Alert: Asplenic Patient
This patient is asplenic and at risk for potentially fatal, overwhelming
infections. Immediate medical attention is required for fever of >101F
(38.3C) or other signs of serious illness. Suggested management
includes:
1) Physical exam, CBC and blood culture.
2) Administration of a long-acting, broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotic
(e.g., ceftriaxone) accompanied by close clinical monitoring while
awaiting blood culture results.
3) Hospitalization and broadening of antimicrobial coverage (e.g.,
addition of vancomycin) may be necessary under certain
circumstances, such as the presence of marked leukocytosis,
neutropenia, or significant change from baseline CBC; toxic clinical
appearance; fever >104F; meningitis, pneumonia, or other serious
focus of infection; signs of septic shock; or previous history of
serious infection.
MEDICAL ALERT:
Asplenic Patient
Patient Name: ________________________
Physician Name: ________________________
Physician Phone: ________________________
http://www.survivorshipguidelines.org/pdf/SplenicPrecautions.pdf
Health Link
Healthy living after treatment for childhood cancer
Splenic Precautions
Version 2.0 - 3/06
Copyright 2006 © Children’s Oncology Group
All rights reserved worldwide Page 4 of 5
Wallet Card for Patients Without a Functioning Spleen
Written by Teresa Sweeney, RN, MSN, CPNP, After Completion of Therapy (ACT) Clinic, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.
Reviewed by Smita Bhatia, MD, MPH, Julie Blatt, MD, Melissa M. Hudson, MD, Kevin Oeffinger, MD, Lise
Yasui, Wendy Landier, CPNP, Lisa Bashore, MS, RN, CPNP, CPON® and the COG Late Effects Committee.
Illustrated by Devika Bhatia.
Medical Alert: Asplenic Patient
This patient is asplenic and at risk for potentially fatal, overwhelming
infections. Immediate medical attention is required for fever of >101F
(38.3C) or other signs of serious illness. Suggested management
includes:
1) Physical exam, CBC and blood culture.
2) Administration of a long-acting, broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotic
(e.g., ceftriaxone) accompanied by close clinical monitoring while
awaiting blood culture results.
3) Hospitalization and broadening of antimicrobial coverage (e.g.,
addition of vancomycin) may be necessary under certain
circumstances, such as the presence of marked leukocytosis,
neutropenia, or significant change from baseline CBC; toxic clinical
appearance; fever >104F; meningitis, pneumonia, or other serious
focus of infection; signs of septic shock; or previous history of
serious infection.
MEDICAL ALERT:
Asplenic Patient
Patient Name: ________________________
Physician Name: ________________________
Physician Phone: ________________________