title: A cost analysis of Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT): an Asian perspective.
abstract: The concept of Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) is relatively new in Asia. This study compared the actual costs and outcomes of care involving OPAT with conventional inpatient-only care at a university hospital in Singapore. Actual costs were obtained for selected patients enrolled in OPAT after 1 January 2005 and these costs were directly compared with those of age-, gender- and diagnosis-matched patients managed as inpatients only prior to the availability of OPAT in the preceding 12 months. Outcomes of patients were also considered. The OPAT and inpatient-only groups comprised 72 and 93 enrollments, respectively. Mean treatment duration for OPAT patients was 42.5 days versus 19 days for those receiving inpatient-only care (P < 0.001). The mean total treatment cost for OPAT and inpatient-only care was US$12 736 and $12 403, respectively (P = 0.706). Mean cost per day for care including an OPAT episode was US$278 versus $457 per day for inpatient-only care (P < 0.001). There was no difference in outcomes between the two groups. OPAT is a viable alternative to inpatient care as it is safe, effective and results in lower daily costs. The trend to longer treatment courses is worthy of further review.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, 117543 Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Candice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Dale A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Grant E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Sklar
authors.forename: Shu-Chuen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D018718:Home Infusion Therapy / Q000191:economics*; D017722:Hospital Charges; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012846:Singapore; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents