Intravenous Antibiotic Therapy at Home

摘要: During a 12-month period, 23 patients aged 12 to 78 years were treated for 8 40 days (mean, days) at home with intravenous (i.v.) antibiotics. Diseases included bone and joint infection (14 patients), blastomycosis (two), actinomycosis staphylococcal bacteremia endocarditis candidal pyelonephritis (one). After initial in-hospital training, self-administered their drugs through heparin-lock i.v. cannula, which was changed regularly by visiting care nurse. Antibiotics administered cloxacillin, penicillin G, cephalosporins, gentamicin, carbenicillin, amphotericin B. Patient family acceptance of the program good, therapeutically effective, and, apart from decreased prevalence phlebitis heparin lock home, side effects no different those in-hospital-treated patients. The cost therapy $ per patient-day compared an estimated 137 had remained in hospital. Most able resume normal activities while receiving therapy.