George Theocharis,1, MD, Evridiki K. Vouloumanou,2, MD,
Ioannis G. Kontopidis,2, MD, Spyridon G. Barbas, MD,1, Dionysios Rodis, MD,1, Eusthathiadis Miltos, MD,1, Matthew E. Falagas,2, MD, MSc, DSc
1. SOS Doctors, Athens, Greece
2. Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBS), Athens, Greece
ABSTRACT
Objectives
The interest in outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) is increasing as it is considered an important adjunctive or alternative treatment strategy to hospitalization. We aimed to present our experience regarding OPAT in the area of Attica, Greece.
Methods
We retrospectively evaluated data regarding the demographic and treatment characteristics of patients that sought medical advice from a network of physicians performing house-call visits and received OPAT during a 17-month period (May 2009-September 2010) in Attica, Greece.
Results
Ninety one patients (69.2% females, median age: 85 years; range: 53-103 years) were identified. The most frequent types of comorbidity were arterial hypertension (25.2%) and dementia (24%), followed by stroke (15.3%). Urinary tract infections (26.3%), aspiration pneumonia (23%), and lower respiratory tract infections (23%) were the most common diagnoses. All patients received intravenous antibiotics. Penicillins (42.2%) and cephalosporins (33.3%), followed by fluoroquinolones were most frequently prescribed. Mean treatment duration was 4.7 days (± standard deviation: 3.3 days). The average total cost per patient was 637€; average total cost per nursing day was 164€. Fifty-six (61.5%) patients were cured; 13 (14.3%) were admitted to a hospital and 25 (27.5%) died.
Conclusions
In this clinical setting outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) was administered mainly to elderly patients with considerable comorbidity. Penicillins and cephalosporins were the most frequently administered antibiotic agents, followed by fluoroquinolones.
Keywords:
outpatient, hospitalization, cephalosporins