Frequently Asked Questions about OPAT – Outpatient Parental Antimicrobial Therapy

What is OPAT?

Antibiotics are used to treat infections. They are often given either as pill to take by mouth or as a fluid to inject into a vein. Injecting medicines is called IV (intravenous) therapy or parenteral therapy. When IV antibiotic therapy is given at home, it’s called OPAT (Outpatients Parental Antibiotic therapy).

To qualify for OPAT, you must: (1) be ready to leave the hospital, and (2) still need antibiotics. The OPAT team will also need to make sure you’ll be safe at home.

What types of long-term IV lines are there?

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)/Midline	Central Venous Catheter (CVC)	Port-a-Cath (PORT)

After I leave the hospital, who will give me the IV antibiotics and care for my central line?

1. Before you leave the hospital, an OPAT Nurse Navigator will assess you. Then the nurse will teach you or a caregiver how to safely give IV antibiotics and care for the line.
2. You will receive supplies from the infusion company. The company will teach you about the IV antibiotics and delivery system.
3. At least once a week, you will need labs and PICC line care (dressing change). This will be done by a home health nurse at your house or a medical facility. The case manager/social worker will set that up based on your insurance. Your infectious disease provider will check these labs.
4. The OPAT team may call to review your lab results. It’s important to answer your phone or return the phone call within 24 hours.

How long will my antibiotic treatment last?

This will depend on your infection and your infectious disease provider.

Is it important to show up for OPAT clinic follow-up appointments?

Yes. It is very important. During your appointment, the infectious disease provider will go over your labs and check for responses to the antibiotics. The provider will make sure the PICC line is safe and the antibiotics are working.

What if I have questions or concerns about OPAT treatment?

• Call the OPAT team at (859) 323-5544 (Select Option 3 for IV Antibiotics/PICC Issues) between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• After 5 p.m. or during weekends/UK holidays, call the paging operator at (859) 323-5321. Ask for the infectious disease fellow on call.

Call the clinic if you have any of these:

• Fevers greater than 100.5°F
• An allergic reaction, such as rash
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• New or returning redness near the IV line
• Redness, pain, swelling, or pus around the IV line