Barriers to self-administering IV antibiotics at home
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Home Self Administration of Intravenous Antibiotics: A Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of those Patients Attending the Grampian OPAT Clinic who Choose not to Self Administer
IRAS ID
162986
Contact name
Antonella Tonna
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Robert Gordon University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Delivery of intravenous (IV) antibiotics as an outpatient for long term conditions such as osteomyelitis and endocarditis have long been established, particularly in the US. Delivery is usually following attendance at an Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) clinic. Various models of administration are applied including home self administration (administration by the patient or carer), or attending an outpatient clinic or cottage hospital for administration by a health care professional. Such outpatient administration of long-term IV antibiotics is well established in Scotland, including NHS Grampian. It offers numerous advantages including reduced costs due to reduced bed stay, a reduced risk of developing a healthcare associated infection and is also more acceptable to the patient. A home self administration model also promotes patient empowerment.
However, recent statistics indicate that patients in Grampian are less willing to consider home self administration of IV antibiotics despite being eligible. In 2013, out of 135 patients attending the OPAT clinic, only 20 were reported to self administer.
The aim of this research is to explore the understanding and beliefs around home self administration of IV antibiotics in a cohort of patients who are not home self administering. A group of patients who are eligible for self administration but reluctant to do so will be interviewed to achieve the research aim. Results of this study will be able to inform future practice and OPAT management with relevance to NHS Grampian and wider areas.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1197
Date of REC Opinion
10 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion