Home intravenous antibiotic therapy: a team approach

Prolonged hospitalization for therapy of some infections may be economically and emotionally costly to patients. A multidisciplinary team was organized at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital to coordinate the selection, education, and follow-up of patients receiving parenteral antibiotic therapy at home. Forty-eight patients were trained to mix and administer antibiotics and to care for the intravenous access device. Most patients had infections of the bones, joints, or soft tissues and received an average of 19 days of therapy at home. Beta-lactam antibiotic agents were administered to most patients and were well tolerated. The infection was eradicated in 87% of patients. The average saving in cost for each course of treatment was $5728.