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The objective of this study was to describe the OPAT experience at a Canadian tertiary academic centre in the absence of a formal OPAT program” Yan et al (2016).

Abstract:

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is a safe and effective alternative to hospitalization for many patients with infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to describe the OPAT experience at a Canadian tertiary academic centre in the absence of a formal OPAT program.

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This was achieved through a retrospective chart review of OPAT patients discharged from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre within a one-year period. Between June 2012 and May 2013, 104 patients (median age 63 years) were discharged home with parenteral antimicrobials. The most commonly treated syndromes included surgical site infections (33%), osteoarticular infections (28%), and bacteremia (21%). The most frequently prescribed antimicrobials were ceftriaxone (21%) and cefazolin (20%). Only 56% of the patients received follow-up care from an infectious diseases specialist. In the 60 days following discharge, 43% of the patients returned to the emergency department, while 26% required readmission. Forty-eight percent of the return visits were due to infection relapse or treatment failure, and 23% could be attributed to OPAT-related complications. These results suggest that many OPAT patients have unplanned health care encounters because of issues related to their infection or treatment, and the creation of a formal OPAT clinic may help improve outcomes.

[button link=”http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4904566/pdf/CJIDMM2016-8435257.pdf” color=”default”]Full Text[/button]

Reference:

Yan, M., Elligsen, M., Simor, A.E. and Daneman, N. (2016) Patient Characteristics and Outcomes of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy: A Retrospective Study. The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology. February 22nd.

DOI: 10.1155/2016/8435257

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