Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in the UK: a cross-sectional survey of acute hospital trusts and health boards.
Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2018;
93:58-62. [PMID:
30098851 DOI:
10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2018.07.013]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study reviews the current OPAT service provision in the UK and evaluates concordance with the national OPAT practice guidelines (standards of care). We conducted a survey of acute hospital trusts and health boards in the UK regarding OPAT practices between June and September 2017. 165 (93%) of the 178 acute hospital trusts/health boards that were contacted responded to the survey. 100 (61%) indicated they had an OPAT service. Ten (10%) OPAT services did not involve an infection specialist. Bone and joint infections, and skin and soft-tissue infections were the most common conditions treated. Most OPAT services (74%) hold weekly multidisciplinary meetings/virtual ward rounds to review patient's progress. 73% had a dedicated OPAT database. We identified variations in practice and concordance with the national OPAT good practice guidelines. In an era of increasing demand for home-based care, further studies are required to identify the optimal configuration of OPAT services with regards to quality and patient safety.
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