BackgroundPeriprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a complication of joint arthroplasty and is seen in 1-2% of cases. Since its initiation in 2013, the national OPAT programme has facilitated the outpatient management of intravenous antimicrobials for PJI. This study aims to describe the clinical epidemiology of patients on OPAT with PJI between the years 2013 and 2021. MaterialsA retrospective analysis of patients discharged on OPAT between 1/1/2013 to 31/8/2021 was performed using data available from the national OPAT programme. This study focused on those with a PJI. Data were analysed using STATA/SE version 17.0. ResultsFrom 1/1/2013 until 31/8/2021 there were 14,749 patients managed through the national OPAT programme, 8.35% (1232/14749) of which were PJI. Of these, 53% (653/1232) were hip-arthroplasty, 22.7% (280/1232) knee-arthroplasty and 24.3% (299/1232) other. The mean age was 64.5 years (SD 14.15 years). Of those on OPAT, 66.15% (815/1232) were H-OPAT (healthcare-administered) while 33.85% (417/1232) were S-OPAT (self-administered). Patients on S-OPAT were statistically younger (61 years versus 66 years, p<0.001, 95% CI 14.1–63.6). The most common antimicrobial prescribed was daptomycin (35.8%; 441/1232) followed by ceftriaxone (21.2%; 262/1232). The median duration on the OPAT programme was 27 days (IQR 14.5–35 days). ConclusionOPAT use in PJI is growing. Cumulatively, it has saved 26,992 hospital bed days. While S-OPAT is the preferred strategy and should be considered for all patients, our data demonstrate that H-OPAT is required more frequently in the older person.