The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City

Mohammed Abdulrahman Attas; Lojain Saoud Zaki; Rani Najeh Radey; Abdulaziz Waleed Jawhari; Shaza Rafat Kelantan; Jumanah Sahal Malibari; Anas Murad Alhassan

doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

2026, Vol: 10, Issue: 3

10 / 3Current Issue Online First Archive Aims and Scope Abstracting & Indexing Most Accessed Articles Most Downloaded Articles Most Cited Articles

« Previous Article

Original Article
Online Published: 05 Jan 2026

IJMDC. 2025; 9(12): 3206-3211

doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City

Mohammed Abdulrahman Attas, Lojain Saoud Zaki, Rani Najeh Radey, Abdulaziz Waleed Jawhari, Shaza Rafat Kelantan, Jumanah Sahal Malibari, Anas Murad Alhassan.

Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the timing of antibiotic administration in patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia and to assess its impact on clinical outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2023 to May 2025, including 149 adult oncology patients presenting to the emergency department with FN. Data on patient demographics, time from ED arrival to first antibiotic dose, and outcomes including mortality, ICU admission, and length of stay were collected electronically. Patients were categorized into those receiving antibiotics within 60 minutes or later.
Results: The mean age was 47.26±15.27 years, and 56.4% were female. Only 31.5% (n=47) of patients received antibiotics within the 60-minute benchmark, while 68.5% (n=102) experienced delays, with a mean interval of antibiotic administration after ED admission of 114.38±101.59 minutes. The overall mortality rate was 8.1%. No statistically significant associations were found between antibiotic timing and mortality (p-value=0.611), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p-value=0.682), or hospital length of stay (LOS) (p=0.959).
Conclusion: A significant delay in antibiotic administration for FN was prevalent in the current study setting. However, in this cohort, the delay was not significantly associated with worse clinical outcomes. The high rate of non-compliance with the guideline-recommended timeframe underscores a critical need for quality improvement initiatives to optimize the timeliness of care, though its definitive impact on mortality in this population requires further investigation.

Key words: Febrile neutropenia, antibiotic timing, oncological emergency, outcomes, Saudi Arabia.

	ARTICLE TOOLS
	Abstract
	PDF Fulltext
	How to cite this article
	Citation Tools
	Related Records
	Articles by Mohammed Abdulrahman Attas Articles by Lojain Saoud Zaki Articles by Rani Najeh Radey Articles by Abdulaziz Waleed Jawhari Articles by Shaza Rafat Kelantan Articles by Jumanah Sahal Malibari Articles by Anas Murad Alhassan
	on Google
	on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Attas MA, Zaki LS, Radey RN, Jawhari AW, Kelantan SR, Malibari JS, Alhassan AM. The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City. IJMDC. 2025; 9(12): 3206-3211. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

Web Style

Attas MA, Zaki LS, Radey RN, Jawhari AW, Kelantan SR, Malibari JS, Alhassan AM. The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=299871 [Access: January 16, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Attas MA, Zaki LS, Radey RN, Jawhari AW, Kelantan SR, Malibari JS, Alhassan AM. The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City. IJMDC. 2025; 9(12): 3206-3211. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Attas MA, Zaki LS, Radey RN, Jawhari AW, Kelantan SR, Malibari JS, Alhassan AM. The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City. IJMDC. (2025), [cited January 16, 2026]; 9(12): 3206-3211. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

Harvard Style

Attas, M. A., Zaki, . L. S., Radey, . R. N., Jawhari, . A. W., Kelantan, . S. R., Malibari, . J. S. & Alhassan, . A. M. (2025) The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City. IJMDC, 9 (12), 3206-3211. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

Turabian Style

Attas, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Lojain Saoud Zaki, Rani Najeh Radey, Abdulaziz Waleed Jawhari, Shaza Rafat Kelantan, Jumanah Sahal Malibari, and Anas Murad Alhassan. 2025. The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (12), 3206-3211. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

Chicago Style

Attas, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Lojain Saoud Zaki, Rani Najeh Radey, Abdulaziz Waleed Jawhari, Shaza Rafat Kelantan, Jumanah Sahal Malibari, and Anas Murad Alhassan. "The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9 (2025), 3206-3211. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Attas, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Lojain Saoud Zaki, Rani Najeh Radey, Abdulaziz Waleed Jawhari, Shaza Rafat Kelantan, Jumanah Sahal Malibari, and Anas Murad Alhassan. "The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9.12 (2025), 3206-3211. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Attas, M. A., Zaki, . L. S., Radey, . R. N., Jawhari, . A. W., Kelantan, . S. R., Malibari, . J. S. & Alhassan, . A. M. (2025) The effect of antibiotic administration timing on the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia at King Abdullah Medical City. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (12), 3206-3211. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1764259603

Most Viewed Articles

Most Accessed Articles

Marginal adaptation of fixed prosthodontics
Shahad Mohammed Halawani, Sahar Amer Al-Harbi
IJMDC. 2017; 1(2): 78-84
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.2.7

Parasites in central nervous system
Amal Ahmed Mohamed, Asmaa Mohamed Mansour
IJMDC. 2017; 1(2): 72-77
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.2.6

Non-diabetic retinopathy: a case report
Hassan F. Alkwikbi, Nabil Mamon Abdelfattah, Haithem Mamon Abdelfattah
IJMDC. 2017; 1(1): 33-37
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.1.6

Vitamin D deficiency among high school female students in Riyadh
Sahar Mohsen Aldhafeeri, Fatemah Ibraheem Alrawaji, Abrar Mubarak Algharbi, Alanoud Abdullah Alhessan, Ayat Sami Qabaja, Ghaleah Abdulaziz Alnassar, Ghaliah Ofayn Alsulami, Mashael Belal Alrubaian, Norah Abdulaziz Alhatim, Salehah Salih Alotaibi, Zahra Ali Alkhamees
IJMDC. 2017; 1(1): 18-23
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.1.4

Prognosis of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) after multiple events of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Baraa Faiez Rajab, Anwar Essa Alamrim, Ali Essa Alamri
IJMDC. 2019; 3(5): 474-479
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1546551993

Most Downloaded

Top Downloaded Articles

Perception and attitude of medical students towards trauma and orthopedic teaching: a cross-sectional study
Nawaf Hameed Almohammadi, Faisal Ali Almesned, Atif Omar Alhawsah, Sami Aoudah Alahmari, Madloul Jassim Alshammari, Hamad Ali Alkhunayfir
IJMDC. 2019; 3(6): 503-508
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1548706801

Anti-IL-17 markedly inhibited the in vitro granuloma induced by Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen.
Asmaa Ezz, Irene S. Gmail, Fatma Elzahraa H. Salem, Rabab Salama, Soad Nady
IJMDC. 2018; 2(January 2018): 38-46
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.2.1.7

Antibiotic Resistance Crisis
Nuha Saad Mobarki, Buthaina Abdullah Almerabi, Ahmad Hattan Hattan
IJMDC. 2019; 3(6): 561-564
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1549060699

Marginal adaptation of fixed prosthodontics
Shahad Mohammed Halawani, Sahar Amer Al-Harbi
IJMDC. 2017; 1(2): 78-84
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.2.7

Most Cited Articles

Most Cited Articles

Antibiotic Resistance Crisis
Nuha Saad Mobarki, Buthaina Abdullah Almerabi, Ahmad Hattan Hattan
IJMDC. 2019; 3(6): 561-564
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1549060699
Cited : 34 times [Click to see citing articles]

Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among diabetes mellitus patients in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia
AMohammed Elamin Mukrim, Nujud Muteb D. Alshammari, Wurud Muteb D. Alshammari, Maali Subhi T. Alshammari, Yousef Nasif R. Alshammari, Abdulaziz Sael M. Alshammari, Maisa Hamad F. Alanazi, Abdulelah Abdulrhman F. Alzammam, Muharib Mana M. Alshammari, Slwa Khaled Abu Asyah, Aseel Jamal Alzuhayri, Mushref Saeid Alshammari
IJMDC. 2019; 3(3): 229-233
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1542576396
Cited : 8 times [Click to see citing articles]

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast self-examination toward breast cancer among female students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Nasser Alomair, Dania Ghazi Felemban, Mohannad Sami Felemban, Jameel Abdullah Awadain, Ammar Saud Altowairqi, Nawaf Fawzan Alfawzan, Fatimah Mohammed Almazayen, Abdulrahman Jalwi Korkoman, Nawaf Saad Alrusayyis
IJMDC. 2020; 4(2): 429-434
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1576668182
Cited : 8 times [Click to see citing articles]

Population awareness about rheumatoid arthritis in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Ali Hazzazi, Mohssen Hassen Ageeli, Ahmed Ali Muyidi, Abdulaziz Mohammad Abulgasim, Abdullah Ahmad Yateemi, Nabil Alhakami
IJMDC. 2020; 4(3): 668-675
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1576010943
Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

Prevalence and factors associated with depression among health care workers in National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, KSA
Noor Mohammad AlFahhad
IJMDC. 2018; 2(September 2018): 92-96
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1526306040
Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

Effect of inter-pregnancy interval on pregnancy outcome: a prospective study at Fayoum, Egypt
Eman M. Mahfouz, Naglaa A. El-Sherbiny, Wafaa Y. Abdel Wahed, Nashwa S. Hamed
IJMDC. 2018; 2(May 2018): 38-44
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1520268317
Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

Diabetic neuropathy in Saudi Arabia: a comprehensive review for further actions
Mohammad Mater Aljohani, Amjad Taj Karam, Ayman Abdulaziz Alamri, Mohammed Hamed Manfaloti, Hussain Abbas Alnakhli, Hatem Ahmed Shaqroon
IJMDC. 2020; 4(11): 2008-2013
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1601343665
Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

Public Awareness of coronary artery disease risk factors in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
Abdullah Muzil Albadrani, Saleh Sulaiman Al-Ajlan, Abdullah Saer E. Alharbi, Abdulelah Saud Alharbi, Saif Mohammed Radhi Alharbi
IJMDC. 2020; 4(3): 593-599
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1572217065
Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

Ischemic stroke: prevalence of modifiable risk factors in the Saudi population
Muhannad Noor Alharbi, Atheer Khalid Alharbi, Mousa Atqan Alamri, Abdulmalik Ayedh Saad Alharthi, Abdulrahman Moneer Alqerafi, Mohamed Noor Alharbi
IJMDC. 2019; 3(7): 601-603
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1548376707
Cited : 3 times [Click to see citing articles]

Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients, Taif City, Saudi Arabia
Basel Saad Alzahrani, Turki Hamdan Alzidani, Abdullah Mohammed Alturkistani, Hani Abozaid
IJMDC. 2019; 3(2): 167-172
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1541336905
Cited : 3 times [Click to see citing articles]

Assessment of knowledge and awareness regarding thyroid disorders among Saudi people
Assem Saleh Ali Almuzaini , Bayan ahmad I Alshareef , Sundos Hamoud O Alghamdi, Ayman Adnan Munshy, Abdulmajeed Khalid M. Aljarallah, Saud Abdulaziz A Salman, Khalid Saud Alroqi, Reem Dayel A Alkhaldi
IJMDC. 2019; 3(12): 1070-1076
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1568037206
Cited : 3 times [Click to see citing articles]

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice in relation to use of isotretinoin among Al-Madinah population, Saudi Arabia
Amr Molla, Hassan Abdullah Alrizqi, Emtinan Mohammed Salem Alruhaili, Saad Abdullah Alrizqi, Arwa Musaad Alsubhi
IJMDC. 2020; 4(1): 107-112
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1571752077
Cited : 3 times [Click to see citing articles]

Ethical considerations in doctors & pharmaceutical industries relationship: a narrative review
Mohammed Saud Almasri, Yousef Rafat Bukhari, Bandar Saleh Alzuair, Mansour Khalid Almadi, Amro Khalid Bin Abdulrahman
IJMDC. 2020; 4(1): 244-252
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1572794591
Cited : 3 times [Click to see citing articles]

Assessment of the knowledge of pregnant women regarding the effects of GDM on mothers and neonates at a Maternal and Children hospital in Najran, Saudi Arabia
Amina Abdo Salhi, Medical Intern, Majed Saeed Alshahrani, Maram Mohammed Alyamin, Waad Ahmed Hamdi, Sarah Raja Alyami, Albatool Saleh Almagbool, Nujoud Hamad Almoqati, Seham Hamad Almoqati, Esra'a Amer Nasser Al-Saaed, Hessa Salem Al Habes, Batool Mubarak Abdullah Alwdei, Ahlam Yhya Saeed Alyami, Wesal Ahmed Alassiri
IJMDC. 2019; 3(4): 370-375
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1545817090
Cited : 3 times [Click to see citing articles]

Awareness of the Saudi population about the role of the Emergency Rooms
Zead Ibrahim A. Alhussain, Mohammed Ali A. Alghamdi, Rana Mohamed Ahmed, Abdullah Yahya Aldhban, Abdulrahman Ali Alghamdi, Naif Shalan J. Alalyani
IJMDC. 2019; 3(11): 957-962
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1568717752
Cited : 3 times [Click to see citing articles]

About International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries

Contact Information

How to cite this article