Advantages of oral versus IV antibiotic therapy

The potential advantages and disadvantages of using oral and IV antibiotics for serious infections such as endocarditis, bone and joint infections and neurosurgical infections in the outpatient environment are outlined in the table below:

(Click to expand)

Now read the papers below and consider the results of the OVIVA and POET trials.

Discuss with your fellow learners your thoughts on switching early from IV to oral therapy in serious infections given the emerging evidence from these trials.

Is this something you are, or would be, comfortable doing in your clinical practice?

Share your thoughts and experiences, and interpretations of the trials, with your fellow learners.