Using QI to develop a sustainable method for titrating taxane infusions to reduce hypersensitivity reactions.

Objective: To develop a sustainable three-step method for titrating first and second taxane exposures through integration of best practices in patient and environmental safety; and to evaluate the impact on immediate hypersensitivity rates.

Methods: A quality improvement study was initiated at a large, NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in the U.S. to determine a sustainable method of slow, upward titration for reducing taxane-related hypersensitivity reactions. Multidisciplinary collaboration led to the incorporation of best practices for safe preparation and administration of high risk, hazardous drugs. Retrospective data from the electronic health records of 690 patients who received 1221 taxane doses were analyzed. Non-titrated infusions were compared with infusions titrated using a method initially tested for efficacy; and infusions titrated using a method revised for greater compliance with safety standards. Two-sided Fisher's exact tests at a 0.1 level of significance were used to detect differences in the rate of HSR between the three groups.

Results: A method of taxane titration that incorporated standardized, preprogrammed infusion rates and tubing primed with inert IV fluid showed a significant reduction in HSR incidence in comparison to non-titrated infusions (6% v. 19%, P = 0.001) and a similar decrease in the rate of HSR (6%) to the initial method previously studied (7%) (P = 0.659) which was not sustainable due to patient and environmental safety concerns.

Conclusions: A three-step titration method using standardized, preprogrammed infusion rates and tubing primed with inert IV fluid reduced taxane-related HSRs and was adopted as sustainable practice in ambulatory cancer care.