title: Randomised controlled trial of intravenous antibiotic treatment for cellulitis at home compared with hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of treatment with intravenous antibiotics for cellulitis at home and in hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Christchurch, New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  200 patients presenting or referred to the only emergency department in Christchurch who were thought to require intravenous antibiotic treatment for cellulitis and who did not have any contraindications to home care were randomly assigned to receive treatment either at home or in hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Days to no advancement of cellulitis was the primary outcome measure. Days on intravenous and oral antibiotics, days in hospital or in the home care programme, complications, degree of functioning and pain, and satisfaction with site of care were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two treatment groups did not differ significantly for the primary outcome of days to no advancement of cellulitis, with a mean of 1.50 days (SD 0.11) for the group receiving treatment at home and 1.49 days (SD 0.10) for the group receiving treatment in hospital (mean difference 0.01 days, 95% confidence interval -0.3 to 0.28). None of the other outcome measures differed significantly except for patients' satisfaction, which was greater in patients treated at home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of cellulitis requiring intravenous antibiotics can be safely delivered at home. Patients prefer home treatment, but in this study only about one third of patients presenting at hospital for intravenous treatment of cellulitis were considered suitable for home treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and General Practice, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. paul.corwin@chmeds.ac.nz
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: Les
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toop
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGeoch
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Than
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wynn-Thomas
authors.forename: J Elisabeth
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abernethy
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pithie
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Dee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002437:Cefazolin