Safety, efficacy, and cost savings in an outpatient intravenous antibiotic program

We analyzed the costs of an outpatient intravenous (IV) treatment program using a broad-spectrum, third-generation cephalosporin. Fifty-six patients were treated for various infections in a hospital-based outpatient IV antibiotic program. The mean length of outpatient treatment was 7.4 days (range, 2 to 24 days). Infections in 53 patients resolved successfully, with only 3 patients experiencing recurrence. Side effect were minimal, with no significant toxicities; one case of oral candidiasis and one case of rash occurred. Collectively, the 56 patients were treated for 286 days in the hospital and 414 days in an outpatient program. Costs were totaled on a weekly basis and divided by seven to arrive at a daily charge; the antibiotic most frequently prescribed was used as the representative regimen. The mean cost for each hospital day was $417 compared with $155 per outpatient day, a savings of $262 on a daily basis. We conclude that outpatient IV antibiotic therapy is safe and effective for a variety of infections in a wide range of patients and can contribute to substantial financial savings.