Understanding the relationship between patient characteristics and complication in veterans discharged on parenteral antibiotic therapy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many facilities utilize outpatient parenteral intravenous (IV) antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) to reduce cost, length of stay, and risk of nosocomial infections. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze patient demographics, substance use, mental and physical health diagnoses, and social determinants of health to seek relationships with complications for veterans discharged from the Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center (ZVAMC) on OPAT. METHODS: This study was a retrospective chart review of veterans who completed OPAT between the years of 2013 and 2017 at the ZVAMC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to discharge, patients were screened by the OPAT team for eligibility; patients were followed after discharge by pharmacy, home care, and providers. OPAT complication was defined as antibiotic change/dose adjustment, IV catheter complication, or an additional hospital visit secondary to current infection or therapy. RESULTS: 294 veterans' charts were reviewed. Of these patients, 106 (36.05%) had a complication. Tobacco use was the only factor significantly associated with OPAT complication. CONCLUSIONS: Cohabitation, employment status, mental health diagnosis and alcohol use were not associated with OPAT failure; however, tobacco use merits further review for use in OPAT screening protocols.