The use, appropriateness and outcomes of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy

Abstract

Objective Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is increasingly used to treat children at home, but studies in children are scarce. We aimed to describe the use, appropriateness and outcomes of OPAT in children. Design This was a 12-month prospective observational study. Setting The hospital-in-the-home programme of The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Patients All patients receiving OPAT. Interventions Data were collected including demographics, diagnosis, type of venous access and antibiotic choice. Main outcome measures Length of stay, adverse events, readmission rate and appropriateness of antibiotic use. Results 228 patients received OPAT in 251 episodes. The median age..