Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Research Articles

Exploring the advancements of Australian OPAT.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in Australia has evolved from modest beginnings to a well-established health service with proven benefits in patient outcomes. This is a comprehensive review of the current state of art Australian OPAT with vignettes of the types of OPAT models of care, antimicrobial prescribing and antimicrobial use. In addition, we highlight the similarities and differences between OPAT to other countries and describe Australian OPAT experiences with COVID-19 and paediatrics. Australian OPAT continues to advance with OPAT antifungals, novel treatment options and upcoming high-impact research.

Best practices, implementation and challenges of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: results of a worldwide survey among healthcare providers.

Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) is considered a patient-friendly and cost-effective practice. Patients in the OPAT service can be at risk for developing adverse events. Due to extensive variations in practice, guidelines have been developed to minimize the risks. In this first worldwide survey on OPAT, we explored the current OPAT services around the world, adherence to recommendations and identified best practices and challenges from different perspectives. An e-survey was conducted and consisted of questions about demographics, characteristics of the OPAT service, role of pharmacy, future developments, and respondents' views on improvements as well as best practices. A total of 126 responses from 28 countries were included. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of the respondents stated that their facility provides antimicrobial therapy in the outpatient setting, whereas 22% did not. Forty-two percent (42%) of the hospitals with OPAT services had a specialized OPAT service, while 14% lacked specialized services and 22% had a partially specialized team in place. In facilities with a specialized OPAT service, the number of mandatory infectious disease (ID) consultations before discharge and clinical monitoring by an ID specialist or OPAT team member, the frequency of monitoring, and the availability of an OPAT registry were higher. A multidisciplinary team's presence was commonly noted as best practices. On the other hand, respondents experienced difficulties with reimbursement and lack of standardization in the screening, follow-up and monitoring of patients. This survey provides a better understanding of the implementation and practices of OPAT services globally and describes best practices and the challenges from different professionals.

Decreased hospital readmissions after programmatic strengthening of an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program.

To determine whether a structured OPAT program supervised by an infectious disease physician and led by an OPAT nurse decreased hospital readmission rates and OPAT-related complications and whether it affected clinical cure. We also evaluated predictors of readmission while receiving OPAT. A convenience sample of 428 patients admitted to a tertiary-care hospital in Chicago, Illinois, with infections requiring intravenous antibiotic therapy after hospital discharge. In this retrospective, quasi-experimental study, we compared patients discharged on intravenous antimicrobials from an OPAT program before and after implementation of a structured ID physician and nurse-led OPAT program. The preintervention group consisted of patients discharged on OPAT managed by individual physicians without central program oversight or nurse care coordination. All-cause and OPAT-related readmissions were compared using the χ2 test. Factors associated with readmission for OPAT-related problems at a significance level of P < .10 in univariate analysis were eligible for testing in a forward, stepwise, multinomial, logistic regression to identify independent predictors of readmission. In total, 428 patients were included in the study. Unplanned OPAT-related hospital readmissions decreased significantly after implementation of the structured OPAT program (17.8% vs 7%; P = .003). OPAT-related readmission reasons included infection recurrence or progression (53%), adverse drug reaction (26%), or line-associated issues (21%). Independent predictors of hospital readmission due to OPAT-related events included vancomycin administration and longer length of outpatient therapy. Clinical cure increased from 69.8% before the intervention to 94.9% after the intervention (P < .001). A structured ID physician and nurse-led OPAT program was associated with a decrease in OPAT-related readmissions and improved clinical cure.

Cost evaluation of a nurse coordinated outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program.

A structured, nurse-driven outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program within an academic healthcare system was associated with reduced odds of 60-day unplanned OPAT readmissions and costs after hospital discharge. These findings may facilitate justifying additional resources for OPAT programs to improve care while decreasing costs.

A review of evidence, antimicrobial stability, and feasibility considerations for OPAT continuous infusion.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has been widely used in clinical practice for many decades because of its associated cost savings, reductions in inpatient hospital days, and decreases in hospital-associated infections. Despite this long history, evolving practice patterns and new drug delivery devices continue to present challenges as well as opportunities for clinicians when designing appropriate outpatient antimicrobial regimens. One such change is the increasing use of extended and continuous infusion (CI) of antimicrobials to optimize the achievement of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic targets. Elastomeric devices are also becoming increasingly popular in OPAT, including for the delivery of CI. In this article, we review the clinical evidence for CI in OPAT, as well as practical considerations of patient preferences, cost, and antimicrobial stability.

Pushing the agenda for intravenous push administration in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy.

Intravenous push (IVP) antimicrobial administration refers to rapid bolus infusion of medication. This drug delivery method offers improved patient convenience, superior patient and nursing satisfaction, and cost savings when used in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). Antimicrobial agents must demonstrate optimal physiochemical and pharmacologic characteristics, as well as sufficient syringe stability, to be administered in this manner. Additionally, impacts on medication tolerability, patient safety, and effectiveness must be considered. This narrative review summarizes the available data and practical implications of IVP administration of antimicrobials in the OPAT setting.

Impact of a pharmacy resident on a transitions of care rotation for inpatients enrolled in an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program.

A novel pharmacy residency rotation was created to meet the needs of patients enrolled in an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program but not yet discharged from the inpatient setting. This service resulted in a high number of antimicrobial stewardship interventions identified and accepted by the primary team(s).

Identifying the potential impact of a multidisciplinary outpatient antimicrobial therapy program in an area of high social vulnerability.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) and complex outpatient antimicrobial therapy (COpAT) are common practice in the management of infectious diseases (IDs). However, providing OPAT/COpAT can pose significant challenges pre- and post-discharge, particularly in vulnerable patient populations. The objective of this study is to assess outpatient complications related to OPAT/COpAT in patients discharged with a home health services referral and to identify pre- and post-discharge intervention opportunities and the associated cost-savings that could be achieved with a multidisciplinary ID team-run OPAT/COpAT program. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who were discharged with OPAT/COpAT through home health services over a 3-month study period. Data on potential pre-discharge interventions and post-discharge complications were recorded. Medication-related issues were the most common pre-discharge complications, accounting for more than 50% of identified intervention opportunities. More than half of the included patients experienced at least one documented outpatient complication post-discharge with peripherally inserted central catheter-line-related complication (20.7%) being the most common issue. Using previously published cost-estimates, the implementation of a designated pre- and post-discharge OPAT/COpAT program could have saved over $100,000 over the 3-month study period. A multidisciplinary OPAT/COpAT program located in a high social vulnerable area can help reduce complications related to a patient's antimicrobial therapy. Medication-related issues represent a major area for potential intervention. Our findings suggest that a multidisciplinary ID team will have ample opportunities to improve the transition of care, at both pre- and post-discharge, for patients requiring antimicrobial therapy.

Facilitating OPAT in rural areas

A sizable portion of the United States’ population lives in a rural setting. Coupled with a limited number of infectious diseases providers, this has created a need for innovative practice models to deliver outpatient antimicrobial therapy and clinical monitoring in rural settings. This article reviews existing literature regarding outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy in rural settings and explores existing barriers and potential solutions that may be of assistance to providers looking to provide these services.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy in Brazil.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy in Brazil.

Patient outcomes following home-based outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy and facility-based outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In this systematic literature review and meta-analysis, we did not find a statistically significant difference in readmission and treatment failure rates between home-based and facility-based OPAT. Optimal patient selection for appropriate OPAT location appears to be more important than the location itself for the best OPAT outcome.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: managing the risk of adverse events

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: managing the risk of adverse events

Risk of Treatment Failure for Prosthetic Joint Infections: Retrospective Chart Review in an Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Program.

Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are a major complication of total joint replacement surgeries. Treatment includes surgical intervention with prolonged courses of IV antibiotics in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) programs. The risk of PJI treatment failure is high and may be associated with various clinical factors. To determine the rate of PJI treatment failure and to identify potential risk factors for failure in patients admitted to an OPAT program. A retrospective chart review was conducted for adult patients with PJI admitted to an OPAT program between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2019. Treatment courses were deemed to have failed according to predetermined criteria. χ2 tests and multiple linear regression were used to examine associations of comorbidities, pathogens, and antimicrobial regimens with treatment failure. In total, 100 patients associated with 137 PJI treatment courses in the OPAT program were included. Of these, 28 patients accounted for 65 of the treatment courses. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated pathogen (31/137 or 22.6% of treatment courses). Patient comorbidities included body mass index of at least 30 kg/m2 (58% of patients) and diabetes (41% of patients). The overall rate of treatment failure was 56.2% (77/137 treatment courses). Selected risk factors associated with treatment failure or success were diabetes (50.9% versus 29.8%; odds ratio [OR] 4.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-12.88, p = 0.013) and depression (32.1% versus 14.9%; OR 5.02, 95% CI 1.30-22.89, p = 0.025). The overall rate of PJI treatment failure in the study population was high. Patients with diabetes and depression experienced higher incidences of failure. Future investigations of comprehensive PJI management should be considered to ensure successful treatment and to minimize excessive use of health care resources.

The hidden cost of dalbavancin: OPAT RN time required in coordination for persons who use drugs.

Serious infections in persons who use drugs (PWUD) are rising. Dalbavancin, due to its extended half-life, offers an alternative treatment for patients in whom standard of care antibiotics are not feasible or practical, allowing for reduced hospital days and the avoidance of central line placement or the use of complex oral regimens. We aim to describe the time and effort required for coordination of dalbavancin courses by outpatient registered nurses (RNs) and other outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) staff. We conducted a retrospective review of adult patients with documented substance use who received at least one dose of dalbavancin and quantified the number of interventions required by our OPAT RNs and other OPAT staff for coordination of dalbavancin courses. Additionally, detailed data on time spent per intervention were prospectively collected for a 1-month period. A total of 52 patients with 53 dalbavancin courses were included. Most substance use was intravenous. Infectious diagnoses included bone and joint infections (61%) and endocarditis (7%), in addition to skin and soft tissue infections (19%). Infections were most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (62%). RN intervention was required in the coordination of 60% of all courses and in 77% of courses in which at least one outpatient dose was needed. Adverse reactions occurred in one patient (2%) and 90-day readmissions due to infectious complications occurred in two patients (4%). Detailed time analysis was performed for seven consecutive patients, with a total of 179 min spent by OPAT RNs on coordination. The ease of dalbavancin administration does not eliminate the need for extensive RN coordination for successful administration of doses in the outpatient setting for PWUD. This need should be accounted for in program staffing to help increase successful dalbavancin course completion.

Comparative renal risk of long-term use of beta-lactams in combination with vancomycin across the continuum of care.

Data are controversial regarding nephrotoxicity risk with vancomycin plus piperacillin-tazobactam (VPT) compared to vancomycin alone or in combination with other beta-lactams (BLs) in acute care use. Furthermore, data are lacking on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) with long-term use of VPT including outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). This retrospective study included 826 adult patients on an intravenous vancomycin plus BL for ⩾2 weeks, including cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, ertapenem, or meropenem, from August 2017 to January 2022. The primary outcome was incidence of AKI. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were conducted to adjust for confounding variables. A secondary analysis based on the propensity score (PS)-matched cohort was performed. AKI occurred in 14.4% of patients in the VPT group (n = 15/104) compared to 5.5% in the other BL group (n = 40/722) (p < 0.001). Average time to AKI from start of combination therapy was 9.4 (1.7-12.0) days in the VPT group and 10.9 (5-22.7) days in the other BL group (p = 0.20). The median duration of vancomycin and BL in the overall cohort was approximately 1 month. Beyond BL selection, patient characteristics were not associated with AKI other than the receipt of concomitant acyclovir [hazard ratio (HR) 2.48 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33-4.65), p = 0.004]. In the PS-matched cohort, AKI occurred in 14.4% of patients in the VPT group (n = 15/104) and 5.3% in the other BL group (n = 11/208) (p = 0.006). Receipt of VPT [HR: 2.55 (1.36-4.78), p = 0.004] and acyclovir [HR: 2.38 (1.19-4.74), p = 0.014) remained significantly associated with AKI in the multivariable model. Clinicians should exercise caution when using VPT for >2 weeks, including in the OPAT setting, even when no renal dysfunction is observed during the initial week of combination therapy.

Impact of a Pharmacist-Managed Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) Service on Cost Savings and Clinical Outcomes at an Academic Medical Center - ADDENDUM.

Impact of a Pharmacist-Managed Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) Service on Cost Savings and Clinical Outcomes at an Academic Medical Center - ADDENDUM.

Taking the route less traveled: on the way to COpAT.

Antimicrobial therapy is an essential practice within medicine. Over the last 4 years, complex outpatient antimicrobial therapy (COpAT) with oral antimicrobials has become a rapidly developing area of practice and is non-inferior to outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in certain infectious syndromes. Currently, the available literature does not describe the implementation of oral antimicrobials within the current outpatient antimicrobial therapy process. Throughout this article, the authors present a review of current literature, a proposed definition of COpAT and offer methods readers can utilize to implement an integrated COpAT/OPAT program with oral antimicrobial-specific monitoring within their current practice.

Outcomes of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) for urinary tract infections – A single center retrospective cohort study

Outcomes of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) for urinary tract infections – A single center retrospective cohort study

What is the role of the clinical microbiology laboratory in the care of diagnostically challenging OPAT patients? Illustrative cases and literature review.

Optimal care of patients requiring long-term outpatient parenteral or oral antimicrobial therapy by infectious diseases (ID) specialists is facilitated by an accurate microbiologic diagnosis. Close collaboration between ID specialists and the clinical microbiology laboratory for routine or specialized molecular testing can result in more accurate diagnoses, streamlined antimicrobial regimens, and improved patient outcomes.

We'll take it from here: Veterans Affairs OPAT management of home IV therapy initiated at community hospitals.

An outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy team from a Veterans Affairs facility managed patients discharged from their own facility and neighboring community hospitals. There were no significant differences in adverse outcomes between the groups, but a majority of regimens were modified from those initially proposed by community providers.