Outpatient IV Antibiotics (OPAT) — Gold Coast

Some infections require weeks of intravenous antibiotics. Many patients who need this do not need to remain in hospital for the whole course. Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy — OPAT — allows intravenous treatment to continue at home or through a day service, with specialist supervision.

Who it suits

OPAT is typically considered for patients who are clinically stable, whose infection and causative organism are well defined, and who have suitable venous access and home circumstances.

Common indications include bone and joint infection, endocarditis after the initial high-risk period, complicated urinary infection, and infections with organisms that have no reliable oral option.

What it involves

Suitability is assessed individually. Where OPAT proceeds, the plan covers vascular access, a defined antibiotic regimen and duration, arrangements for administration, and scheduled monitoring of blood tests and clinical progress.

Review appointments allow the regimen to be adjusted, stepped down to oral therapy where the evidence supports it, or stopped at the planned endpoint.

Oral step-down

Not every long course needs to stay intravenous. There is now good evidence supporting earlier switch to oral therapy in selected infections, and Dr Peter Simos is Principal Investigator on Australasian trials examining exactly this question in Gram-negative bloodstream infection. Where the evidence supports it, an earlier oral switch avoids the risks associated with prolonged intravenous access.

Referrals

A current referral addressed to our rooms, or to one of our specialists by name, is required before an appointment can be arranged.

Gold Coast Infection Specialists Mater Private Hospital Gold Coast Specialist Suites Ground Floor, 14 Hill Street, Southport QLD 4215 Phone: 07 5530 0770