Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT)

You have been prescribed antibiotics as part of the hospital’s OPAT service. This leaflet will explain what this means.

What is OPAT?

OPAT stands for ‘Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy’ and it is a way of giving you antibiotic injections without you having to stay in hospital for the full course of treatment.

Oral antibiotic treatment for complex infections also falls within the OPAT service at the Walton Centre.

Who decides if I should get OPAT?

You will be considered for OPAT if you are ready to go home but still require antibiotic therapy. OPAT is not always the best choice for everyone and your doctors will discuss your case with you and an infection doctor to decide if the service is right for you.

What antibiotic will I be given?

The antibiotic that is chosen for you will depend on the type of infection you have and what bugs are causing it. This will be explained to you during your hospital stay.

Specific information about the antibiotic you are given will be provided to you with your prescription. The hospital’s pharmacy department will supply the initial course of your treatment when you leave.

If a further supply is needed, you will be given a further prescription at the OPAT clinic that you will take to the pharmacy at Aintree Hospital next door to be filled.

How are the antibiotics given?

The antibiotics will be given to you either in tablet form or via an injection into your vein through a small tube called a catheter This will be removed via your community team when the course of antibiotics is complete.

For intravenous antibiotics community nurses will administer them at your home or at a clinic near to where you live. You will be told about the exact arrangements when you are ready to go home. Everyone receiving OPAT needs regular blood tests to check that the antibiotics are working and that you are not being given too much or too little. This will usually be done by the community nurses whilst intravenous therapy is being administered.

If you are taking oral antibiotics you must ensure appointments are made for blood tests via your GP surgery or attend the Walton centre.

How long will I need treatment for?

The length of your treatment will depend on the infection. Some people only need a few days, whilst others will need several weeks. T

he planned length of treatment will be written in your discharge letter and given to you along with your medicines. You will need to be reviewed in the OPAT clinic at The Walton Centre.

You will be given your appointment date and time prior to leaving the Trust. This is a clinic run by a microbiologist, neurosurgeon, pharmacist and nurse specialist to review your blood test results, any medication side effects and monitor the infection. Your overall surgical management will still be done by your normal team, and you will be referred back to them once your OPAT has completed.

What are the benefits of OPAT?

Being given antibiotics in this way will mean that you be able to return to your normal home life faster and not have to stay in hospital to finish your treatment

What problems might I experience with OPAT?

A small number of patients develop allergic reactions to antibiotics, such as a rash, swelling or difficulty breathing.

To stop this happening the first dose will be given whilst you are in hospital to make sure that you don’t react badly and that it is safe for you to go home.

Sometimes the catheter used to administer the medicine can become blocked or infected.

If you experience any problems with your catheter, or you think that you are having a reaction to your antibiotic then contact the Community Intravenous Therapy Team (contact details are given below).

One of the antibiotics commonly used (ceftriaxone) can stop certain blood glucose monitors from working properly. This only affects Accu-Chek® monitors.

If you are diabetic and use an Accu-Chek® monitor to check your blood glucose and have been prescribed ceftriaxone then tell a member of hospital staff. You will need to use an alternative device for the duration of your treatment.

Who can I contact if I have any concerns or need further information?

Complications with OPAT are rare but if you have any concerns then please don’t hesitate to contact your community nursing team on a direct number they have given you or one of the following numbers; ( The community team looking after you will also provide you with their contact details at their first visit)

Community Intravenous Therapy Teams:
Liverpool (Merseycare) – 0151 296 7528
Sefton (Merseycare) – 01514754380
Bridgewater (STHK) – 01925 454814

If you have any questions about the medicines you have been prescribed then you can speak to one of our pharmacists by calling our Pharmacy Medicines Hotline (Monday – Friday 08:30 – 17:00) on 0151 529 3208.
The Walton Centre OPAT Secretary – 0151 556 3341
In the event of an emergency please dial 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department.

Are you happy for your clinical information to be submitted to a national OPAT outcome registry?

As part of our service we submit anonymous patient data to a registry which looks at patient outcomes. If you do not wish for your personal anonymous data to be used, then please call the following number to opt out; 0151 529 8853, or please tell us when you visit the OPAT clinic.