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OPAT: Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy

Learn how patients with a serious infection can be managed in outpatient settings with the help of an OPAT service.

4,158 enrolled on this course

An IV drip

OPAT: Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy

4,158 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 6 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Discover the function, role and limitations of an OPAT service

OPAT is a clinical service which enables patients with serious infection to be managed in an outpatient setting. The service aims to facilitate admission avoidance or early hospital discharge.

On this course, you will be introduced to the concept of OPAT. You’ll start by looking at the roles and responsibilities within the multi-disciplinary OPAT team.

Next, you’ll examine the importance of patient selection and antimicrobial choice, followed by device selection and monitoring.

By the end of the course, you’ll know how to develop an OPAT service in your own setting.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    What is OPAT?

    • Welcome to the course

      Welcome to this introductory interactive course which explores OPAT practice. Enjoy the course, which we hope will support your current and future practice within OPAT. We look forward to hearing from you over the next 2 weeks!

    • What is OPAT?

      First we will look at the definition, role and function of OPAT within a healthcare organisation. We will also hear from a patient about their OPAT journey.

    • Meet the OPAT team

      A successful OPAT service depends on the complementary skills and expertise of the multi-disciplinary team. Let's meet the team and hear about their different roles.

    • Patient Selection

      Careful patient selection and assessment is fundamental to good clinical practice and governance within OPAT.

  • Week 2

    Management of OPAT

    • Governance of OPAT

      In Week 2 we will discuss the importance of clinical governance and antimicrobial stewardship within OPAT and also consider the different elements which contribute to the individual patient's OPAT management plan.

    • Creating the OPAT plan

      We considered patient assessment Week 1 and have just reviewed antimicrobial selection and administration criteria together with vascular device access consideration .We are now ready to make the OPAT Plan.

Who is this accredited by?

Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists:

The Royal College of Pathologists is a professional membership organisation with charitable status, concerned with all matters relating to the science and practice of pathology.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify the function, role and limitations of OPAT in modern health care
  • Compare the different roles and responsibilities within the multi-disciplinary OPAT team and reflect on how other health care providers may contribute to the service
  • Explain how patient selection, antimicrobial choice and device selection and monitoring are crucial to achieving optimal outcome
  • Explore how OPAT relates to the wider antimicrobial stewardship agenda and health care governance
  • Apply antimicrobial stewardship principles to clinical OPAT practice

Who is the course for?

The course is aimed at healthcare professionals who are interested in developing an OPAT service.

Who will you learn with?

I'm an ID physician in Glasgow & I lead our Antimicrobial Stewardship programme & OPAT service. I also chair the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group & co-chair the BSAC OPAT initiative

Hello,
I'm a consultant antimicrobial pharmacist and OPAT lead within Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London. I look forward to interacting with you on this OPAT Mooc.

Who developed the course?

BSAC

Founded in 1971, the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy exists to facilitate the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in the field of antimicrobial chemotherapy.

Endorsers and supporters

supported by

Pfizer

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 2 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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