Clinical Outcomes of an Innovative Cefazolin Delivery Program for MSSA Infections in OPAT

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

• Cefazolin is a key antibiotic for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infections.
• Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) programs utilize cefazolin effectively.
• Optimizing cefazolin delivery schedules in OPAT is crucial for patient outcomes and resource management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare clinical outcomes of daily (Group 24) versus every-two-day (Group 48) cefazolin administration in OPAT for MSSA infections.
• To evaluate treatment success rates, failure, readmissions, and vascular access complications between the two dosing groups.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study with retrospective analysis of 149 patients with MSSA infections in OPAT.
• Patients received cefazolin 2 g/8 h, with analysis divided into daily (Group 24) and every-two-day (Group 48) delivery.
• Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess outcomes. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Main Results:

• Treatment failure and unplanned readmission rates were similar between Group 24 (11.7%, 8.5%) and Group 48 (7.3%, 5.5%).
• Vascular access complications were significantly higher in Group 24 (33.0%) compared to Group 48 (7.3%) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Administering cefazolin every two days for uncomplicated MSSA infections in OPAT is not linked to increased treatment failure.
• Every-two-day cefazolin delivery in OPAT significantly reduces vascular access complications and resource consumption compared to daily administration.