Outpatient Intravenous Antibiotic Therapy: Reduces economic burden of patients

Abstract

OPAT it is a frequent source of questions and formal infectious diseases consultations. OPAT is always less expensive than inpatient therapy. Financial savings have been found with OPAT when compared with in hospital stays. The use of intravenous (IV) antibiotics for the treatment of serious infections has become common around the world. It is accepted as the standard treatment for many infectious diseases including other chronic infection like sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis etc. The goals of OPAT program are to provide expert care to patients on IV antibiotics, manage side effects and infections, reduces the need for hospital readmissions. The OPAT having a series of program patient care team includes doctors, nurses, and clinical and hospital pharmacists who are skilled in management of infectious diseases. Intravenous therapy outside the hospital, has only recently become possible, with the introduction of new Antibiotics, better catheters for vascular access, and improved infusion devices. Health care professionals have pioneered the development of OPAT and worked together to develop safe and effective programs. The antibiotics used for OPAT care are chosen for safety, effectiveness and ease of administration and money saving. The IV delivery system needed in the home is much simpler than the large, complicated IV pumps you see in the hospital. OPAT allows suitable patients on intravenous (IV) antibiotics to be discharged early from hospital and treated in their home or community setting by a team of specialist nurses.