Abstract. The possibility of encountering rare tropical disease presentations is commonly described as a benefit derived by developed world medical trainees participating in clinical service-oriented short-term global health experiences in the developing world. This study describes the health status of a population served by a short-term experience conducted by a North American institute, and the results of a retrospective review are used to identify commonly encountered diseases and discuss their potential educational value. Descriptive analysis was conducted on 1,024 encounter records collected over four unique 1-week-long trips by a North American institution serving Haitian migrant workers in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The top five diagnoses seen in the clinic were gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension (HTN), upper respiratory infections, otitis media, and fungal skin infection. On occasion, diagnoses unique to an indigent tropical population were encountered (e.g., dehydration, malnutrition, parasites, and infections.). These findings suggest a similarity between frequently encountered diagnoses on a short-term clinical service trip in Dominican Republic and primary care presentations in developed world settings, which challenges the assumption that short-term service experiences provide exposure to rare tropical disease presentations. These findings also represent additional data that can be used to better understand the health and healthcare planning among this vulnerable population of Haitian migrant workers.

BACKGROUND: Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) can decrease length of hospital stay but is associated with adverse events (AEs). The purpose of this study was to quantify and identify risk factors for OPAT-associated AEs in children. METHODS: Retrospective single-center study of children ≤21 years old discharged on OPAT from January 2016 to April 2019 with infectious diseases follow-up. Demographic and clinical factors and medication and central venous catheter (CVC)–associated AEs were assessed through chart review. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: Among 181 OPAT courses, an AE occurred in 70 (39%). Medication AEs occurred in 30 of 181 courses (16.6%). Children residing in an urban area had a 4.5 times higher risk of having a medication-related AE compared with those in a rural area (odds ratio: 4.51; 95% confidence interval: 1.60–12.77; P = .005). CVC AEs occurred in 47 of 181 courses (26%). Every additional day of OPAT increased the odds of having a CVC-related AE by 4% (odds ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.07; P = .003). Twenty (11.1%) courses resulted in readmission to the hospital because of an AE. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, 39% of children experienced an OPAT-associated AE, and CVC AEs were more common than medication AEs. Longer duration of intravenous therapy and urban residence were independently associated with OPAT-associated AEs, highlighting the importance of converting to oral antibiotic therapy as soon as feasible to reduce OPAT-associated AEs.

BackgroundOutpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) can decrease the length of hospital stay but is associated with adverse events (AEs). The purpose of this study was to quantify and identify risk factors for OPAT-associated AEs in children.MethodsThis is a retrospective, single-center study of patients aged ≤21 years discharged on OPAT from January 2016 to April 2019. Only patients with OPAT overseen by the infectious disease service were included. Medication AE’s included: rash, neutropenia, hepatitis, diarrhea, C. difficile infection, increased serum creatinine, or others. Central line AEs included: central line dysfunction, infection, rash around line site, or other. Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Pearson’s χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, and multivariable logistic regression models were used for analyses.ResultsDemographic information can be found in Table 1. Among 176 patients included in the study, an AE occurred in 69 (39%). In a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for age, county of residence, duration of OPAT, and duration line was in place, each additional day of antibiotics increased the odds of having a medication or line-related AE by 3% (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01–1.06; P = 0.005; Table 2). Medication AEs occurred in 30 patients (17%). The most frequent medication AEs were neutropenia (24%), rash (15%), and increased liver function tests (15%). Patients residing in a Large Fringe Metro area (suburb) had 33% lower odds of having a drug-related AE compared with those in a Large Central Metro area (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.90; P = 0.008). Line AEs occurred in 46 patients (26%), with 10 patients (21%) experiencing >1 line AE. The most common line AEs were line malfunction (56.5%) and line infection (13%). Seven patients experienced both a medication AE and a central line AE. Of the 176 patients, 20 (11%) were readmitted to the hospital due to medication or line AE and an additional 25 (14%) had a healthcare visit for an AE although did not require admission.ConclusionIn our region, nearly 40% of children experienced an OPAT-associated AE and line AEs were more common than medication AEs. Longer durations of IV therapy was an independent risk factor for AEs. Converting to oral antibiotic therapy as soon as feasible may reduce OPAT-associated AEs. DisclosuresRitu Banerjee, MD, PhD, Accelerate Diagnostics: Grant/Research Support; BioFire: Research Grant; Biomerieux: Research Grant; Roche: Research Grant.