605. Rates of Patient Satisfaction with Home-Based Outpatient Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT)

Abstract

Abstract Background The use of home-based outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is well established. Studies by the National Home Infusion Foundation (NHIF) show that 1.4 million patients receive OPAT each year.1 With patient satisfaction a priority, NHIF developed, validated, and reliability tested the Uniform Patient Satisfaction Survey for Home Infusion Providers in 2017.2 Medicare patients are the fasting growing segment in the US and account for a disproportionate share of health care usage. Determining older patient satisfaction is imperative because patients who are more satisfied are more compliant with treatment3 and tend to return for continued care.4 Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to determine the level of home-based OPAT patient satisfaction and if a significant difference (p = ≤ .05) exists between the 0-64 and 65+ age groups. Methods 2019 and 2020 OPAT survey data (n=5,559) was used in this study. Top box percent, typically used in health care patient satisfaction, was calculated for each survey question. Data was summarized using 7 composite categories formed from the 22 survey questions. Differences (p = ≤ .05) between the age groups was also calculated. Results Mean patient age was 64.31 (SD=14.78), 54.99% were 65+ years old, and 58.85% were male. OPAT patients gave high marks to their home infusion service (Table 1). The highest top box % for the composite scores was “Patient instructions” which averaged 98.91%. The most common healthcare satisfaction question “I was satisfied with the overall quality of the services provided” showed significant difference between the age groups (p = .002) with the 0-64 groups being more satisfied than the 65+ (Exhibit 1). Table 1. OPAT Patient Satisfaction Survey Composite Scores: Percent of Patients Selecting Top-Box Score (n= 5,559) Exhibit 1. Level (%) of Agreement to “I was satisfied with the overall quality of the services provided” by Age Group (n = 5,559) Conclusion Analysis of each survey question shows the 65+ patients are less satisfied than younger patients on the following: being informed of side effects, explanation of financial responsibilities, and the helpfulness of the billing staff. Even though the scores are high for both age groups, additional research needs to be conducted to determine why scores for the 65+ age group are lower, and changes needed for improvement. Knowing the level of OPAT patient satisfaction will benefit infectious disease physicians, providers, prescribers, payers, and regulators as they evaluate how to expand home-based services. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures