scholarly journals Utilizing a Post-discharge Telephone Call in Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT): Findings from a Quality Improvement Project

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S333-S333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Felder ◽  
Louise Vaz ◽  
Penelope Barnes ◽  
Cara Varley

Abstract Background Transitions of care from hospitals to outpatient settings, especially for patients requiring outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) are complex. OPAT complications, such as adverse antimicrobial reactions, vascular access problems, and hospital readmissions are common. Data from transitions of care literature suggest that post-discharge telephone calls (TCs) may significantly decrease re-hospitalization but no studies have assessed the utility of post-discharge TCs as an OPAT program quality improvement process. Methods Adult OPAT patients discharged from our hospital between April 1, 2015 and May 31, 2016 were queried for post-discharge concerns. TCs to patients or their caregivers were administered by trained medical assistants within the Department of Infectious Diseases using a standardized script and documented in the electronic medical record (EMR). Feasibility was assessed using call completion rate. The type and frequency of reported issues were analyzed by retrospective chart review. Results 636 of 689 eligible adult OPAT patients or their caregivers received a TC with responses to scripted questions documented in the EMR (92% completion rate). 302 patients (47%) reported 319 issues, including 293 (92%) relevant to OPAT. Antimicrobial issues included diarrhea/stool changes (58; 9%); nausea/vomiting (27; 4%); and missed antimicrobial doses (22; 3%). Vascular access issues included line patency concerns (21; 3%); vascular access dressing problems (17; 2.6%) and arm pain/swelling (6; 1%). OPAT vendor issues included delays in lab or line care services (23; 4%) and OPAT orders reported as lost/not received (21; 3%). Other ID-related issues included fevers/chills/sweats (27; 4%), wound concerns (16; 2.5%), and pain (15; 2.5%). Conclusion Adding a post-discharge TC to an OPAT program was feasible and resulted in frequent and early identification of significant OPAT patient and caregiver concerns. Findings suggest potential high-yield topics for process improvement, as well as anticipatory guidance and patient education in OPAT. Further evaluation and analysis of optimal hospital discharge processes and care coordination in OPAT, as well as their impact on post-discharge adverse events, is needed. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 600-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cory M. Hale ◽  
Jeffrey M. Steele ◽  
Robert W. Seabury ◽  
Christopher D. Miller

Background: Despite the numerous benefits of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT), appreciable risks of drug-related problems (DRPs) exist. No studies to date comprehensively assess DRPs in this population. Objectives: Objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the frequency and types of DRPs experienced by patients discharged on OPAT and (2) determine the fraction of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) resulting in hospital readmission or emergency department (ED) presentation and changes in therapy. Methods: This was a retrospective chart analysis evaluating consecutive adult patients discharged on OPAT between May 2015 and October 2015. Patients were assessed for the presence of DRPs until the cessation of antimicrobial treatment, including oral step-down therapy. The outcome of each ADR was recorded, including those resulting in hospital readmissions, presentation to the ED, or changes in antimicrobials. Results: Among 144 patients discharged on OPAT, 199 DRPs occurred in 91 (63.2%) patients. Harm and potential impaired efficacy occurred in 76.9% and 23.1%, respectively. The ADRs comprised 59% of DRPs, occurring in 44.4% of patients. The second most common DRP type was drug interactions (DIs), accounting for 22.6% of DRPs. Rifampin, fluoroquinolones, and daptomycin had the highest frequencies of preventable DRPs in the form of DIs, whereas cephalosporins had the fewest DRPs. Approximately 26% of ADRs caused changes in therapy and 9% resulted in hospital readmission or ED utilization. Conclusion: DRPs with the potential to cause patient harm or impair treatment efficacy often occur with OPAT, most commonly ADRs and DIs. Enhanced monitoring and transitions of care management may reduce the incidence of these DRPs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S171-S171
Author(s):  
Ryan Zabrosky ◽  
Ellen C Rubin ◽  
Erica Liu ◽  
Karrine Brade ◽  
Hope Serafin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Providing effective transitions-of-care (TOC) services improves outcomes for patients discharged on high-risk medications. Literature has shown that successful TOC for certain antimicrobials reduces hospital readmissions, medication errors, and improves post-discharge follow-up and laboratory monitoring. Prior to this quality improvement (QI) initiative, there was no formal TOC process for patients discharged on high-risk antimicrobial therapy (HAT) at our institution. Without standardization, only 55.1% of patients discharged on HAT had successful TOC. The aim of this initiative was to develop and implement a TOC protocol in at least 90% of patients discharged on HAT. Methods This QI initiative utilized the Institute of Healthcare Improvement model for improvement. A workgroup of key stakeholders developed a protocol to identify and standardize TOC services provided to patients discharged on HAT. Successful protocol completion was achieved if the following process metrics were evaluated, obtained, and documented prior to discharge: baseline laboratory values, pharmacokinetic monitoring, appropriate intravenous access, drug-drug interactions, medication availability, discharge medication counseling, and formal pharmacist documentation in a discharge note. Outcome metrics included referral to outpatient infectious disease (ID) follow-up, 90-day readmissions, and successful TOC. Balancing metrics included pharmacist time and protocol initiation for patients not discharged on HAT. Results Between October 2020 and May 2021, 218 patients met protocol inclusion criteria. Of these, 203/218 (93.1%) were appropriately identified with the new TOC process. The protocol was successfully followed in 78.9% of patients identified. Readmission rates were 42.8%, which was unchanged from baseline. Inpatient ID involvement increased from 80.9% to 95.7% and referral to outpatient ID follow-up from 59% to 94.8%. Conclusion This newly developed TOC protocol successfully identifies patients discharged on HAT, improves provision of TOC services to these high-risk patients, and significantly improves the rate of infectious disease involvement while inpatient and after discharge. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S333-S334
Author(s):  
So Lim Kim ◽  
Angela Everett ◽  
Susan J Rehm ◽  
Steven Gordon ◽  
Nabin Shrestha

Abstract Background Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) carries risk of vascular access complications, antimicrobial adverse effects, and worsening of infection. Both OPAT-related and unrelated events may lead to emergency department (ED) visits. The purpose of this study was to describe adverse events that result in ED visits and risk factors associated with ED visits during OPAT. Methods OPAT courses between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2016 at Cleveland Clinic were identified from the institution’s OPAT registry. ED visits within 30 days of OPAT initiation were reviewed. Reasons and potential risk factors for ED visits were sought in the medical record. Results Among 11,440 OPAT courses during the study period, 603 (5%) were associated with 1 or more ED visits within 30 days of OPAT initiation. Mean patient age was 58 years and 57% were males. 379 ED visits (49%) were OPAT-related; the most common visit reason was vascular access complication, which occurred in 211 (56%) of OPAT-related ED visits. The most common vascular access complications were occlusion and dislodgement, which occurred in 99 and 34 patients (47% and 16% of vascular access complications, respectively). In a multivariable logistic regression model, at least one prior ED visit in the preceding year (prior ED visit) was most strongly associated with one or more ED visits during an OPAT course (OR 2.96, 95% CI 2.38 – 3.71, p-value < 0.001). Other significant factors were younger age (p 0.01), female sex (p 0.01), home county residence (P < 0.001), and having a PICC (p 0.05). 549 ED visits (71%) resulted in discharge from the ED within 24 hours, 18 (2%) left against medical advice, 46 (6%) were observed up to 24 hours, and 150 ED visits (20%) led to hospital admission. Prior ED visit was not associated with hospital admission among patients who visited the ED during OPAT. Conclusion OPAT-related ED visits are most often due to vascular access complications, especially line occlusions. Patients with a prior ED visit in the preceding year have a 3-fold higher odds of at least one ED visit during OPAT compared with patients without a prior ED visit. A strategy of managing occlusions at home and a focus on patients with prior ED visits could potentially prevent a substantial proportion of OPAT-related ED visits. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. S12-S14
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Wilson

Elizabeth Wilson, Lead Nurse, Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust ( [email protected] ), BJN Awards 2020 Vascular Access Nurse of the Year runner-up


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
Andrea Raynak ◽  
Brianne Wood

Highlights Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement study was to examine the impact of a Vascular Access Clinical Nurse Specialist (VA-CNS) on patient and organizational outcomes. Description of the Project/Program: The VA-CNS role was created and implemented at an acute care hospital in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The VA-CNS collected data on clinical activities and interventions performed from April 1 to March 29, 2019. The dataset and its associated qualitative clinical outcomes were analyzed using deductive content analysis. Furthermore, a cost analysis was performed by the hospital accountant on these clinical outcomes. Outcome: Over a 1-year period, there were 547 patients protected from an unwarranted peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion among 302 patient consultations for the VA-CNS. A total of 322 ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheters were inserted and 45 PICC insertions completed at the bedside. The cost associated with the 547 patients not receiving a PICC line result in an estimated savings of $113,301. The VA-CNS role demonstrated a positive payback of $417,525 to the organization. Conclusion: The results of this quality improvement project have demonstrated the positive impacts of the VACNS on patient and organizational outcomes. This role may be of benefit and worth its adoption for other health systems with similar patient populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. S690-S691
Author(s):  
Angela Liaros ◽  
Christine Connolly ◽  
Lucy Potter ◽  
Lisa Jones ◽  
Tamsin Gledhill ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann L N Chapman ◽  
Sanjay Patel ◽  
Carolyne Horner ◽  
Helen Green ◽  
Achyut Guleri ◽  
...  

AbstractUK good practice recommendations for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) were published in 2012 and 2015 for adult and paediatric patients, respectively. Here we update the initial good practice recommendations in a combined document based on a further review of the OPAT literature and an extensive consultation process. As with the previous good practice recommendations, these updated recommendations are intended to provide pragmatic guidance for new and established OPAT services across a range of settings and to act as a set of quality indicators for service evaluation and quality improvement.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 13-14
Author(s):  
Joseph F. Ferry ◽  
Neil Bailey ◽  
Vanessa Dunleavy ◽  
Joanna Fesler ◽  
Judson Hall ◽  
...  

Background : Central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) have been the costliest of all healthcare associated infections. The average CLABSI cost is approximately $46,000 (Haddadin & Regunath, 2019). Most cases may be preventable with utilization of aseptic techniques, surveillance, and management through local protocols. The majority of CLABSI occur more than five days after central vascular access (CVA); therefore, there has been a growing focus on central line handling and maintenance techniques. CLABSI prevention data has been largely focused on the intensive care unit (ICU) patient population where an average of about half of patients have CVA. There have been few studies exploring the rates of CLABSI in the adult hematology population, a population with unique risk factors due to their immunosuppressing treatments and prolonged immunocompromised states. There has been emerging data that suggests the use of new technology in addition to existing central line maintenance recommendations by the Center for Disease Control may further reduce the rate of CLABSI occurrences in high-risk patient populations. Aim: To determine the efficacy of passive valve antimicrobial swab caps on the reduction of CLABSI in an inpatient hematology patient population when compared to current existing local practices. Outcomes of reported incidents of CLABSI have been evaluated against pre-interventional data for this setting. Methods : Retrospective analysis of medical records from January 2016 - September 2019 identified the existing rate of CLABSI occurrence among inpatient hematology patients at a single institution. We utilized the intervention of antimicrobial swab caps for 10 months and tracked the rate of CLABSI during this time. The nursing staff were educated on the quality improvement project, the use of the new equipment, and expectations that existing standard practices per local policy for CLABSI prevention bundles would be adhered to prior to the start of the intervention. To evaluate the impact of the antimicrobial swab caps on the rate of CLABSI we compared the number of infections pre- and post-intervention. Randomized audits, including chart reviews for compliance with existing standard CLABSI bundle practices were performed during the initial 3 months of the intervention. Results : Prior to the introduction of the passive valve antimicrobial swab cap to the existing CLABSI prevention protocol, CLABSI rates on the hematology unit exceeded the standardized infection ratio 75th percentile on 9 of the previous 15 calendar quarters. The intervention was observed for 6,674 central line days. The CLABSI rate during the intervention was 0.4495 per 1,000 central line days. The CLABSIs identified were due to nosocomial opportunistic infection in setting of immunosuppressed status (66%) and gastrointestinal translocation (33%). The common diagnosis in setting of CLABSI was refractory/relapse diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (66%) and active acute myeloid leukemia (33%). The two patients who were diagnosed with CLABSI were neutropenic with an absolute neutrophil count of 0 at time of CLABSI diagnosis. The organisms identified at time of CLABSI diagnosis were Clostridium ramosom, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus epidermisis, and Candida parapsilosis. When considering the cost of a CLABSI to be about $46,000 per event and the annual cost for the inpatient hematology unit's use of the caps of approximately $19,710, the implementation of the antimicrobial swab cap reduced the cost associated with CLASBI in the hematology unit by approximately $26,290 annually. Conclusions : The introduction of the passive valve antimicrobial swab caps appears to demonstrate potential for reduced costs due to CLABSI when implemented into current CLABSI prevention bundles. This resulted in a 25% reduction in rates of CLABSI in the adult hematology patient population when compared to the previous year. The prevention of CLABSI in hematology patients with central vascular access remains challenging, however, standardized protocols for CLABSI prevention and use of antimicrobial swab caps may help further reduce the rate of CLABSI in hematology patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. Disclosures Glennie: Pharmacyclics: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau. Bensinger:BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Regeneron: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Patel:Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BeiGene: Consultancy; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Kite: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.


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