Ertapenem administered as outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative organisms.
OBJECTIVE
Infections with extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing organisms are an increasing public health concern. We reviewed the use of an outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) programme to facilitate the early discharge from hospital of patients with ESBL-associated urinary tract infections.


METHODS
A retrospective review of patients treated for urinary tract infections caused by ESBL-producing organisms through the OPAT programme at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK over a 4 year period to January 2010 was conducted. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation and laboratory results were collected.


RESULTS
Twenty-four OPAT episodes involving 11 patients were identified. Six patients (54.5%) had an underlying urological abnormality on presentation to OPAT. All patients were treated with parenteral ertapenem. Two patients had multiple infections treated by OPAT. The mean duration of the OPAT episodes was 9.9 days (range 3-42). A total of 238 inpatient bed days were avoided, with resultant cost savings.


CONCLUSIONS
Ertapenem administration through OPAT may help to decrease the costs associated with ESBL infections by reducing the number of inpatient bed days required for their successful treatment.
Bazaz
Rohit
R
Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK. rohitbazaz@hotmail.com
Chapman
Ann L N
AL
Winstanley
Trevor G
TG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077727:Ertapenem; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D000077727:Ertapenem