HOME AND HOSPITAL INTRAVENOUS THERAPY FOR 2 ACUTE INFECTIONS - AN EARLY STUDY

Aim: To study the severity, treatment and outcome of patients with cel lulitis and pyelonephritis treated with intravenous antibiotics in eit her a hospital in the home unit (HHU) or traditional inpatient beds. M ethod: Retrospective case reviews were used. All patients with celluli tis and pyelonephritis from January 1995 until January 1996 who were a ssessed as appropriate for HHU care were included. Each HHU case was i ncluded. The traditional in-hospital group was defined as patients who had been assessed as suitable for HHU, but who did not enter the HHU for non-clinical reasons. Background variables were: patient age; pati ent gender; prior treatment with antibiotics; temperature on presentat ion; creatinine on presentation; leucocyte count on presentation; pare nteral medication used; and preexistent conditions. Outcome variables were: number of days until febrifuge; total duration of stay; duration of in-hospital stay; duration of HHU stay; patient incidents; and sta tus at discharge. Results: The two groups exhibited similarities on pa tient and condition characteristics, although differences in the types of antibiotics used were found. A positive clinical outcome was achie ved in every patient. In-hospital duration of stay was briefer in the HHU groups. Discussion: These early results are encouraging for home i ntravenous therapy. Further studies, controlled trials if possible, ar e now required to establish these findings more definitively.