Creating a plan

What things might you consider when devising an OPAT plan?

The stewardship principle of the right drug, for the right condition, for the right duration and right route should always be considered when creating an OPAT plan.

Factors which will influence this plan include:

• The patient’s clinical and social picture.

• Previous and current microbiology including antibiograms: a list of antibiotics that have been tested in the laboratory against the organism that is causing the infection. A pathogen is either ‘sensitive/susceptible’ or ‘resistant’. Antibiograms are used as a guide by clinicians to decide which antibiotics to administer to a patient.

• Radiological imaging as appropriate.

• Need for surgical intervention / source control as appropriate.

• Laboratory markers and antimicrobial therapeutic monitoring.

• Tolerability and effectiveness of the patient’s antimicrobial regimen.

• Opportunities for intravenous to oral switching.

• Specialist review and plan (outside of the OPAT team).

Review the video with Dr Andrew Seaton who outlines his role in the OPAT team and share your thoughts with others by posting in the comments below.