[Home intravenous antibiotic treatment: a study in 515 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of therapy, type of infection, hospital department of origin and outcome of 515 cases of infection requiring home intravenous antibiotic therapy treated by the home care service.


METHODS
The clinical records of patients undergoing intravenous antibiotic therapy through the home care service over a 6-year period were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
A total of 439 patients (244M/195F; mean age, 55.9 years, range 7-96) requiring 515 courses of home intravenous antibiotic therapy were reviewed. Mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 7.9 days (1-58). Urinary (42.3%) and respiratory infections (25.8%) were the most frequent indications for home treatment. Most patients were referred from the emergency room (50.5%) followed by the Internal Medicine Department (11.5%) and Oncology Department (11.1%). Ceftriaxone was the most widely prescribed antibiotic (41.8%) followed by aminoglycosides (35.3%) and glycopeptides (11.7%). In 49 cases electronic infusion pumps were used, with ceftazidime being the predominant antibiotic (32.7%) in these cases. Hospitalization was required in 7% of patients due to infectious disease-related complications. Clinical outcome was positive in 79% of the patients, with improvement in 90% of patients from the emergency room


CONCLUSIONS
The advantages of home care services to provide home intravenous antibiotic therapy are evident. More than half of the patients were referred from the emergency room and 90% of these progressed well. The presence of medical and nursing staff qualified to handle infectious diseases is necessary, as well as continuing home care.
Mendoza-Ruiz de Zuazu
Humberto
H
Unidad de Hospitalización a Domicilio, Hospital Txagorritxu, Vitoria-Gasteiz, España. hmendoza@htxa.osakidetza.net
Casas-Arrate
Javier
J
Martínez-Martínez
Carlos
C
de la Maza
Itziar
I
Regalado de los Cobos
José
J
Cía-Ruiz
Juan Miguel
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based; D018718:Home Infusion Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013030:Spain; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents