Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
Conducting Respiratory Oscillometry in an Outpatient Setting
Published on: April 8, 2022
Delivery, setting and outcomes of paediatric Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT): a scoping review
Bernie Carter1, Enitan D Carrol2, David Porter3
1Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK.
Insights
Paediatric Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) delivery and outcomes require further study. Developing consensus on success indicators and adverse events is crucial for demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of paediatric OPAT.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Healthcare Delivery Research
Background:
- Paediatric Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) is increasingly utilized.
- Existing literature lacks comprehensive systematic reviews on its delivery, settings, and outcomes.
- Individual studies suggest OPAT is safe and effective for children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of paediatric OPAT.
- To examine the current knowledge regarding OPAT delivery, settings, and outcomes in children.
- To identify critical knowledge gaps in paediatric OPAT research.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review methodology based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework was employed.
- Searches were conducted in MEDLINE and CINAHL using identified keywords.
- Studies involving children and young adults (≤21 years) receiving OPAT at home or in day treatment centers were included.
- The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool assessed the methodological quality of included studies.
Main Results:
- 19 studies met the inclusion criteria from an initial pool of 157 articles.
- Diverse factors influence paediatric OPAT delivery, including child's condition, home environment, parental compliance, and training.
- There is a lack of consensus on defining success and adverse events in paediatric OPAT.
Conclusions:
- Future research must establish clear definitions and indicators for success and adverse events.
- Developing consensus outcomes, incorporating child and parent perspectives, is essential.
- Standardized outcome measures are needed to better evaluate the success of paediatric OPAT services.
Background:
There has been little detailed systematic consideration of the delivery, setting and outcomes of paediatric Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT), although individual studies report that it is a safe and effective treatment.
Objective:
This scoping review aimed to examine what is known about the delivery, settings and outcomes of paediatric OPAT and to identify key knowledge deficits.
Design:
A scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's framework was undertaken.
Data Sources:
Keywords were identified and used to search MEDLINE and CINAHL.
Study Appraisal Methods:
Primary research studies were included if samples comprised children and young people 21 or under, who had received OPAT at home or in a day treatment centre. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to review the methodological quality of the studies MAIN FINDINGS: From a preliminary pool of 157 articles, 51 papers were selected for full review. 19 studies fitted the inclusion criteria. Factors influencing delivery of OPAT were diverse and included child's condition, home environment, child-related factors, parental compliance, training and monitoring. There is little consensus as to what constitutes success of and adverse events in OPAT.
Conclusions:
Future studies need to clearly define and use success indicators and adverse events in order to provide evidence that paediatric OPAT is safe and effective.
Implications:
Consensus outcomes that include child and parent perspectives need to be developed to allow a clearer appreciation of a successful paediatric OPAT service.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
01:17The Scope of Physics
01:16Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy
01:10Review and Preview
Percentiles are a type of fractile that partition data into...
01:13Review and Preview
01:24Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview