P64 Implementation of a paediatric outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (p-OPAT) service at a specialist children’s hospital
Authors: Porter Hannah , Stock Kate 
Published: August 2020

Aim

The aim of this project is to optimise patient care, enhance patient experience, improve antimicrobial stewardship and assist patient flow through the hospital.

Method

Data collection was conducted one day a week over five consecutive weeks. All eligible wards were visited. Patient medication charts were inspected to see if intravenous antimicrobials were prescribed and a patient - specific data collection form was then completed. All the patients that met the eligibility criteria to be put forward for OPAT referral were then considered from a clinical perspective by a paediatric consultant as to their suitability for OPAT or IVOST and discharge. If the patient was deemed suitable for an OPAT discharge or IVOST and discharge a decision was made as to what antimicrobials they would theoretically have been on when discharged home. The number of potential bed days saved was calculated as the number of days between the patients review by the consultant (ie the day of data collection) and the date of their discharge prescription from that episode of care.

The following was examined

percentage of patients with identified pathogens

percentage of patients that had received input from the ID team

percentage of patients that had received input from microbiology

the prevalence of antimicrobials prescribed

the location of the patient’s home residence

patient/parent willingness to go home on OPAT.

The data for patient numbers and bed day savings was then extrapolated to 52 weeks in order to be indicative of one year.

Results

Over the five days, 66 patients were identified that met the exclusion criteria to be referred for OPAT or IVOST. After clinical consideration the consultant deemed 4 patients to be suitable for OPAT and 19 for IVOST and discharge which generated a potential bed day saving of 38 bed days. This was comprised of 17 days through providing IVAs via OPAT and 21 days from timelier IVOST and discharge of patients. Extrapolated to be representative of one year, this would be a bed saving to the Trust of 1, 976 bed days.

Conclusion

The potential has been identified for the hospital to make considerable bed day savings through the investment in an extended antimicrobial stewardship programme and establishment of a paediatric OPAT service. A business case has been submitted to the hospital board for consideration, with the hope that the service will be funded for a six month probationary period in order to assess its impact over the winter months, when demand for beds and pressures on PICU and theatres are highest.

References

Patel S, et al. 2015. Good practice recommendations for paediatric outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (p-OPAT) in the UK: a consensus statement. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy2015;702:360–373.

Carter B, et al. Delivery, setting and outcomes of paediatric outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT): a scoping review. BMJ Open, 2018;8:e021603.

Hodgson KA, et al. The use, appropriateness and outcomes of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2016:10:886–893.

Knackstedt ED, et al. Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy in pediatrics: an opportunity to expand antimicrobial stewardship. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 2015:36:222–224.