Early Discharge and Outpatient Care After Chemotherapy in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome or Acute Myeloid Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Diagnosis of one of the following:

  * Myelodysplastic syndromes
  * Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

    * No acute promyelocytic leukemia with t(15;17)(q22;q12), PML/RAR, or other variants
* Planning to undergo AML-like intensive induction chemotherapy (e.g., "7+3" or regimen with similar or higher intensity) for untreated or relapsed disease within 1 week after study entry OR has started therapy within the past 72 hours

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* No hypersensitivity or allergy to fluoroquinolones, triazoles, or acyclovir
* ECOG/WHO/ZUBROD performance status 0-1\*
* Total bilirubin ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (unless elevation is thought to be due to Gilbert's syndrome or hemolysis)\*
* AST and ALT ≤ 1.5 times ULN\*
* Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN\*
* No clinical evidence of congestive heart failure\*
* No active bleeding\*
* Not refractory to platelet transfusions (e.g., due to HLA-alloimmunization)\*
* No requirement for IV antimicrobial therapy\*
* Agrees to undergo close follow-up that includes ≥ 3 visits per week at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA)\*
* Has a confirmed reliable caregiver and transportation\*
* Confirmed temporary or permanent residency within a 30-minute commute from the University of Washington (UW) Medical Center/SCCA\*
* Has identified a UW/SCCA hematologist/oncologist who is willing to care for the patient in the outpatient clinic\* NOTE: \*Additional criteria for early discharge from the hospital

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* See Disease Characteristics