Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) was first introduced in 1973 as an alternative treatment. Since then, there have been numerous international case based studies including both children and adults with significant bacterial infections using this strategy. The protocol requires a careful screening and evaluation process of the patient. There must be no other motive for hospitalization other than the need for parenteral antibiotics.
To describe the results of OPAT during a period of 26 months in emergency department of a Chilean pediatric public hospital.
During the study period 228,144 patients received medical care in the Emergency Department (ED) and 380 patients were admitted to the OPAT program after clinical evaluation and based on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of their parents. The major indications of OPAT were skin and soft tissues infections (50%) and pneumonia (28%) respectively. (beta-lactamic antibiotics the were most commonly prescribed. Thirty eight patients (10%) required hospitalization, mostly because of clinical deterioration. There were no deaths.
In our public hospital OPAT for treatment of significant bacterial infections constitutes an efficient and safe alternative to hospitalization allowing the child to remain in his home.