Outpatient Parenteral Therapy for Complicated Infections: A Snapshot of Processes and Outcomes in the Real World.

BACKGROUND

In the United States, patients discharged on outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) are often treated by home health companies (HHCs) or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Little is known about differences in processes and outcomes between these sites of care.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 107 patients with complicated infections discharged on OPAT from 2 academic medical centers. Clinical characteristics, site of posthospital care, process measures (lab test monitoring, clinic follow-up), adverse events (adverse drug events, infection, line events), and clinical outcomes at 90 days (cure, relapse, hospital readmission) were collected. Comparisons between HHCs and SNFs were conducted.

RESULTS

Overall, 33% of patients experienced an adverse event during OPAT, and 64% were readmitted at 90 days. Labs were received for 44% of patients in SNFs and 56% of patients in HHCs. At 90 days after discharge, a higher proportion of patients discharged to an SNF were lost to follow-up (17% vs 3%; = .03) and had line-related adverse events (18% vs 2%; < .01). Patients discharged to both sites of care experienced similar clinical outcomes, with favorable outcomes occurring in 61% of SNF patients and 70% of HHC patients at 90 days. There were no differences in rates of relapse, readmission, or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients discharged to SNFs may be at higher risk for line events than patients discharged to HHCs. Efforts should be made to strengthen basic OPAT processes, such as lab monitoring and clinic follow-up, at both sites of care.