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Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy Program (OPAT)

UC San Diego Health’s outpatient parenteral (non-oral) antibiotic therapy program allows patients to avoid hospitalization for serious and deep-seated infections by receiving intravenous (IV) antimicrobial therapies in a clinic or at home.

Our board-certified infectious disease specialists oversee the program.

Types of Infections Treated

The types of infections that may be treated with IV antimicrobial agents include:

  • Sepsis
  • Cellulitis
  • Bone and joint infections
  • Spinal fluid infection
  • Drug-resistant infections, such as infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria

About OPAT

Individuals who are candidates for outpatient-based IV antibiotic therapy are formally enrolled in OPAT and assigned an infectious disease specialist to monitor their recovery.

Our physicians also work with home health agencies, infusion centers and nursing facilities to coordinate care and help prevent complications that may occur while on IV antimicrobials. Your infectious disease specialist will obtain weekly laboratory reports and handle any side effects or adverse responses to IV therapy.

All OPAT patients see their infectious disease specialist in our clinic for follow-up care and monitoring to help make sure patients are tolerating their medication and improving under treatment.

Read a Q&A About Intravenous Antibiotics and the Rise of Resistance.