Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy

Our services

About OPAT - Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Service

Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Service (OPAT) allows adult patients who are medically stable and whose only reason for inpatient stay is the requirement for intravenous antibiotics to be safely and effectively treated in an outpatient setting.

This will not only enhance patient care and make it more accessible, but it will also improve outcomes by reducing the length of time patient need to spend in our hospitals or by helping them to avoid an admission altogether. Utilisation and progression of the OPAT Service is crucial to releasing beds within our hospitals for those patients who are most in need of inpatient care, this will improve flow and boost our resilience over winter and periods of increased bed pressures.

OPAT is a joint venture with our partners at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital, referring clinicians retain responsibility for their patients with the OPAT team providing clinical oversight. Weekly MDTs ensure best practice and maintenance of antimicrobial stewardship.

The administration of intravenous antimicrobials is via daily attendance at our RSH Hub currently located within DAART or through home visits by our specialist community nursing team. All antimicrobials are supplied by the SaTH pharmacy team using either patient specific supplies or stock from our community locations.

The people we see

The service allows adult patients who are medically stable and whose only reason for inpatient stay is the requirement for intravenous antibiotics to be safely and effectively treated in an outpatient setting.

You are receiving intravenous (IV) antibiotics to help you get better. Intravenous means the antibiotics go straight into a blood vessel called a vein.

We use IV antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. In some cases, IV antibiotics are better than antibiotics tablets.

The Treatment can depend of the infection you are being treated from. You may be changed to an antibiotic tablet when you start to get better.

New patients

Any healthcare professional can refer a patient to the OPAT Team when they believe the individual can be safely supported at home.

The aim is to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions by providing appropriate care closer to the patient’s home or within a community setting.

Existing patients

The Community IV team are available 7 days a week. They will answer questions you may have about your treatment.

Where possible contact your named team or service.

Or you can contact the DAART Outpatient service on 01743 261095

• Monday to Friday 08.30am to 7.00pm
• Weekends and Bank Holidays 08.30am to 4.00pm

Outside of these hours contact NHS 111. If you become unwell for any other reason whilst on IV treatment you should contact your GP or NHS111. If you are very unwell call 999