IV Abx

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Summary

Specific goals for home-delivered IV antibiotic therapies include improved clinical status, resolution of infection, reduction of VAD complications and new infections, therapy completion and other criteria. Patient safety is the first priority for any intervention. Home-based care has a different set of considerations to assure safety of care and treatment. The risk for infection related to homecare is smaller than the risk for infections acquired in the hospital setting, especially in the case of drug-resistant infections.

All of the requirements for patient safety, therapy efficacy, and team management are available for home administration of IV antibiotic therapies with the often added bonus of cost-containment and improved patient satisfaction. Continuing research on best practices and efficacy and cost-efficient methods of treatment will continue to make the homecare setting a practical alternative to hospitalization for intravenous antibiotic therapies.

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