Social work in a home intravenous antibiotic therapy program.

Home intravenous antibiotic therapy (HIVAT) grew out of one hospital's experience with home parenteral nutrition. Because of current accelerated pace of discharge planning, the social worker plays a major role in choosing appropriate candidates for this program and in helping them solve practical and affective problems. Patients report a high degree of satisfaction with this homecare plan. Benefits such as early return to employment are noted. Shortened hospital stays lower treatment costs. The program is adaptable for many patients where medical treatment initiated in the hospital continues at home.