Characteristics and outcomes of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy at an academic children's hospital.

BACKGROUND

Use of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in pediatrics is widespread and may be increasing. Recent data quantifying use and characteristics of pediatric OPAT are lacking.

METHODS

To evaluate the number of children receiving OPAT each year and their associated characteristics and outcomes, we conducted a retrospective review of all patients discharged with OPAT from the Mayo Clinic Children's Hospital between August 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011.

RESULTS

During the study period, there were 126 pediatric hospital discharges with OPAT (2.5% of all discharges). OPAT was used most commonly to treat bone and joint (21%), bloodstream (15%), intra-abdominal (13%) and soft tissue (9%) infections. A positive culture or serology result was found in 86 (68%) OPAT courses. The most frequently used antibiotics were ceftriaxone (17%), cefazolin (16%) and cefepime (13%). The median duration of OPAT was 12 days. Thirty-six courses (29%) resulted in catheter- or antibiotic-associated complications. Weekly laboratory monitoring was more common when OPAT was managed by the infectious disease service (88%) versus other services (20%). Among 123 courses with follow-up, 109 (89%) resulted in cure, and 13 (11%) were treatment failures.

CONCLUSION

At our children's hospital, 2.5% of hospitalized patients were discharged with OPAT. In one-third of OPAT courses children developed catheter- or antibiotic-associated complications. Opportunities to increase the role of pediatric infectious disease in OPAT initiation and management should be explored.