Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial-Drug Therapy

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, outpatient parenteral therapy with antimicrobial drugs has proved effective, safe, and cost effective for patients with a wide range of infectious diseases.¹⁴ Teams to manage this type of therapy have been established at medical centers,^5,6 emergency departments,⁷ health maintenance organizations,⁸ physicians' offices,^9,10 and other sites.IndicationsThree criteria must be met before outpatient parenteral antimicrobial-drug therapy can be implemented. The patient must have an active infectious disease that requires continued treatment beyond the anticipated period of hospitalization. There should be no further need for hospitalization, other than for treatment of the infectious . . .