Making a case for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT)

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Healthcare Management
• Antimicrobial Stewardship

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic strained hospital resources and disrupted acute/elective care.
• There is a critical need for safe and effective alternatives to inpatient hospital care.
• Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) services have emerged as a viable solution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the role of OPAT in supporting admission avoidance and early discharge for complex infections.
• To emphasize the integration of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) principles within OPAT.
• To align OPAT expansion with national strategies for delivering healthcare closer to home.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing well-organized multidisciplinary teams within OPAT services.
• Implementing early oral therapy as part of AMS within OPAT.
• Governing OPAT services to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Main Results:

• OPAT facilitates admission avoidance and early discharge for diverse patient groups.
• OPAT services effectively embed AMS principles, including early oral therapy.
• Expansion of OPAT aligns with UK national strategies for cost-effective, community-based care.

Conclusions:

• OPAT is a crucial service for managing complex infections outside the hospital setting.
• OPAT exemplifies ambulatory care models and supports AMS strategies.
• OPAT services are integral to developing hospital-at-home and virtual ward environments.