Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy
This page is for all care professionals who need the service referral information or other relevant documentation.
How do care professionals refer into this service?
Clinicians will be able to refer into the service, Monday to Friday, 9am -5pm,
Emailing sath.shropshire.opat@nhs.net
Phoning 01743 261000 ext 3654 or 07709 721569
- Please do not discharge your patient until you have received confirmation from the team that your patient has been accepted
- following acceptance to the service please ensure that your patient has intravenous access in place and suitable for use by the OPAT team on discharge. This may involve recannulation and flushing if necessary.
- Ensure that the patient is discharged with any medication required for OPAT administration as indicated by the OPAT Team.
- Please be aware that OPAT provides administration of intravenous antimicrobials only, please ensure that patients requiring other interventions e.g. catheter/wound care are referred to the correct service
Types of patients regularly seen
The OPAT Service operated 4 main clinical pathways:
- Bronchiectasis
- Skin and Soft Tissue Infections e.g. Cellultis, diabetic foot infections
- Bone and Joint Infections e.g. Osteomyelitis, Bursitis
- Complicated Urinary Tract Infections
Frequently asked questions
- Exclusion Criteria
-
patients will not be treated within the OPAT Service if they meet any of the exclusion criteria below
- Aged under 18
- Systemically unwell
- Pyrexia >38.3 degree celsius,
- Hypothermia <35.0 degree Celsius
- Heart Rate >110bpm unless this is normal for the patient
- Systolic BP<100 mm Hg unless this is normal for the patient
- Altered mental state from patient's normal condition
- renal impairment (e-GFR 10ml/min)
- Social issues prevent immediate discharge
- No fixed abode or resident in a hostel/hotel
- Ongoing drug or alcohol misuse issues
- Further inpatient investigations still required
- Self-discharge against medical advice.
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.
Service contacts information
OPAT Community Team
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
Vickers House
Halesfield 6
Telford
TF7 4BF
Email: sath.shropshire.opat@nhs.net
Tel: 07709 721569
OPAT Clinical Team
Pharmacy Services:
Tel 01743 261000 ext 3654
Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Mytton Oak Road
Shrewsbury
SY3 8XQ