About us

Our Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) Team provides a specialised service that facilitates the early discharge of medically stable patients who remain hospitalised solely for the administration of intravenous (IV) antibiotics. It is a safe and convenient way to receive intravenous antibiotic therapy at home or in an outpatient setting. 

Opting for OPAT is usually a joint decision between you, your doctor, a Microbiologist and other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) involved in your care.

Whilst you are on OPAT you will be monitored closely to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your treatment

We cater for patients who live in Kingston, Richmond, East Elmbridge and Wandsworth with the help of their respective community nursing team.

About Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy

Antibiotics are used to help fight bacteria within the body. They can be given orally (by mouth) or intravenously (IV) which means via a vein.

Giving them intravenously (IV) is also known as “parenteral therapy”.

About IV therapy

To give you antibiotics intravenously, a healthcare professional will insert a vascular access device in your arm.

A vascular access device is a thin, flexible, plastic tube that is placed into the vein using a small needle. This will be needed for the IV antibiotic to be administered into the vein. The type of vascular access device that you may need will depend on several factors. These include the number of days that IV treatment may be needed, the type of IV antibiotics needed and the health of your veins.

Benefits of OPAT

If you are on OPAT, you can receive your intravenous antibiotics at home in a familiar environment, instead of staying in hospital. Having the antibiotics at home, also minimises the risk of hospital-acquired infections.

Most patients feel that this gives them more independence and freedom.

If you feel well enough, you may continue with activities such as work and education.

Conditions that we treat
Common conditions that we treat through the OPAT service include:
•    Vertebral osteomyelitis, discitis, or epidural abscess
•    Osteomyelitis
•    Pyelonephritis/ complicated urinary tract infections
•    lung abscesses/empyema
•    prosthetic joint infections
•    complicated skin and soft tissue infections
•    diabetic foot infections
•    bronchiectasis


Length of treatment

Treatment time varies from person to person. It depends on the type of infection you have. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics can take days, weeks or months.
During this time, we will monitor you and keep you up to date with your progress

Our team includes:

The OPAT team comprises:
•    a microbiologist
•    a medical consultant
•    an antimicrobial pharmacist
•    an OPAT nurse
•    community nurses. These may be district nurses or specialist IV nurses.

You will also be under the care of:
•    your GP
•    your medical/surgical team in the hospital
•    the healthcare team at the clinic where you may attend for your antibiotic treatment.

Safety advice before starting OPAT

Before you leave the hospital, we will give you important information regarding the OPAT service, your intravenous antibiotics and when to seek urgent medical attention. We will also answer any questions you may have.