Specialist in Infectious diseases
Sandra Bak Løfberg
Department of Internal Medicine, Lillebælt hospital, Kolding.
| Project management | ||
| Project status | Open | |
| Data collection dates | ||
| Start | 01.09.2025 | |
| End | 30.09.2026 | |
Pilotprojekt - Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy in Emergency Departments in Denmark - OPAT-ED
Short summary
The study aims to characterize how outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy (OPAT) has been used from an Emergency Departments in 2025 in Kolding. The study will assess whether narrower-spectrum antibiotics and shorter treatment durations could have been used. The aim is to investigate whether it is possible to treat patients more ecologically with antibiotics at home and thereby reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance - which by WHO is considered a global threat to human health.
Rationale
Background: Studies indicate that 20-50% of antibiotics prescribed in acute-care hospitals are unnecessary, which emphasizes the need for focus on antimicrobial steward ship (AMS) in the acute care setting. Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) is used in Danish emergency departments, yet knowledge about OPAT use in a Danish setting is limited and there are no guidelines regarding OPAT use. Knowledge on OPAT use and whether AMS will reduce the antimicrobial use in a Danish EDs is needed. Purpose: This project aims to characterize OPAT practices in Danish EDs and access whether an AMS intervention can improve outcome for OPAT patients. Methods: A retrospective registry-based analysis of OPAT use in one Danish ED (Kolding) for one year (2024). Conclusion: Evidence-based knowledge on OPAT is vital in Danish EDs to optimize care, reduce risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and improve patient outcomes. OPAT guidelines regarding enrolment, treatment and follow-up are needed. Results from this project will help in the development of this and improve clinical outcomes while mitigating the risk of AMR.
Description of the cohort
Study population: Patients receiving OPAT between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, identified via hospital pharmacy and finance records. Inclusion criteria: • Age > 18 years and • Suspicion of infection and • OPAT driven by the ED regardless of previous number of IV-doses given at the hospital and regardless if the OPAT is initiated in the home or in the ED. Exclusion criteria: • Age < 18 years • Not receiving OPAT
Data and biological material
Journal data from Department of Internal Medicine, Sygehus Lillebaelt.