The Shelford Group, a collaboration between 10 of the largest teaching and research NHS hospital trusts in England, recently highlighted a network pilot which established an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) service at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The service has treated more than 40 patients on OPAT, saving 1,181 bed days since its September 2022 launch, proving an exceptionally effective way to move people from the hospital setting.
Further bed days have been saved through the identification of referred patients to the OPAT service who were appropriate for discharge from hospital.
But most importantly, this service provides for patients to be cared for closer to home — indeed, in their home — where appropriate. A win for all.