Self-administration of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy and risk of catheter-related adverse events: a retrospective cohort study.

Despite increasing use, limited data has been published comparing safety of different outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) models. Potential risks of self-administration at home include venous access device infection and other line complications. This study aims to investigate rates and predictors of intravenous access device complications in a large OPAT cohort. This is a retrospective cohort study of all uses of midlines, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and tunnelled central venous catheters (TCVCs) with univariate and multivariate (logistic regression) analysis of factors associated with line infections (LIs) and with other line events (OLEs). On univariate analysis, line infections were associated with length of line use, female sex and TCVC lines (compared to midlines). Patients self-administering OPAT in the home had a non-significantly lower rate of LIs. On multivariate analysis only duration of line use was a significant predictor of LIs-OR 1.012 (95%CI 1.001-1.023). For OLEs, multivariate analysis suggested that only line type and use of flucloxacillin were significant explanatory variables. In this cohort, there is no evidence that self-administration of OPAT is associated with higher rates of venous access device complications after controlling for confounding variables.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in a teaching hospital-based practice: a retrospective cohort study describing experience and evolution over 10 years.

Use of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is increasing in settings with advanced healthcare systems internationally. This study describes a large OPAT service cohort developed in the west of Scotland and includes trends over a 10-year period of this service. Data were retrieved from a prospectively maintained electronic case database. Patient and logistic variables were collated for all OPAT episodes (n=2638, resulting in 39035 days of patient care over 10 years). Skin and soft-tissue infections and bone and joint infections accounted for 77% of OPAT cases, but a wide range of other conditions have been treated in this cohort. Outcome variables were evaluated for all first OPAT attendances (n=2233), amongst which a successful outcome (cure or improvement) was found for 2063 (92.4%). Unplanned admission was observed in 9.1% of patients (6.3 events per 1000 OPAT patient days). Healthcare-associated infection rates were low: amongst first OPAT attendances, 14 intravenous line infections were observed (0.4 per 1000 OPAT patient days). Statistically significant trends over time included: a decrease in OPAT treatment time; increased referrals from non-local and secondary care sources; increased rate of co-morbidity of OPAT referrals; and increased self/carer administration of antimicrobials. Outcome proportions (success and adverse events) did not vary over time. This cohort study adds to the increasing observational data suggesting that OPAT is safe, effective and acceptable for treating a wide variety of infections. Observed trends over a 10-year period suggest that this model of infection management is adaptable and sustainable.

Nurse-led management of uncomplicated cellulitis in the community: evaluation of a protocol incorporating intravenous ceftriaxone.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: A management protocol for specialist nurses was developed for ambulatory management of uncomplicated cellulitis requiring initial intravenous (i.v.) antibiotic therapy. Patients were all managed through an outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) service. Those with cellulitis were compared pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen patients were compared with 230 retrospective controls all managed through the OPAT service. Protocol management was associated with reduced duration of outpatient i.v. therapy from 4 to 3 days, P=0.02, and reduced need for physician review (100% to 19%). Outcomes, complications and readmissions were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Specialist nurse-led management is safe and effective in the management of uncomplicated cellulitis in the context of an OPAT service and reduces the need for regular medical review without compromising clinical care.