Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT)

Target Population: Healthcare workers involved in home parenteral therapy practice

Type: Consensus statement

Key Points: Few prospective studies have addressed OPAT risks and outcomes, but retrospective studies support the use of OPAT for a wide variety of infections, including osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and cellulitis.

Essential elements of this therapy include evaluation of the patient's general medical condition, the infectious process, and the home (or non-acute-care facility) situation; selection of an easily administered, appropriate antimicrobial agent; availability of resources; and regular clinical and laboratory monitoring. Additionally, teamwork and extensive commu…