Hospital admission avoidance in a London NHS trust: a retrospective review of King's OPAT service.

Abstract

This retrospective review evaluates the implementation and outcomes of the outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) service at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London. Initiated in 2022, the programme aimed to reduce hospitalisations by offering home-based intravenous and complex oral antimicrobial therapies. Between September 2022 and September 2024, the OPAT service treated 391 patients, saving 9516 hospital bed days and achieving estimated financial savings of £1-2 million annually. The multidisciplinary approach ensured clinical efficacy, safety and high patient satisfaction, despite challenges such as timing of nursing visits and social complexities. The service highlighted the value of robust eligibility criteria and training in self-administration, which enhanced patient autonomy and the patient experience. This review underscores the potential for OPAT to optimise hospital resources, improve patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs, advocating for its expansion across NHS trusts to address growing demands for sustainable and efficient healthcare delivery.