When a serious infection needs IV antibiotics but not a hospital stay, OHSU’s outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program can help. 

OHSU's OPAT program lets you receive antimicrobial treatment outside of the hospital, either at home, at an infusion center or at a skilled nursing facility. This means you can continue your treatment in a more comfortable setting, close to the people you love. 

The OPAT program offers:

• A personalized treatment plan based on your specific infection
• Antimicrobial therapy either IV or by mouth
• Care from a dedicated team of nurses who specialize in infectious diseases
• Regular lab testing to monitor treatment progress and side effects
• A check-in call within 72 hours of being discharged from the hospital
• Follow-up visits either in clinic or by telehealth
• Ongoing review and adjustment of your treatment as needed
• Support from a team of doctors, pharmacists, nurses and care coordinators
• Guidance on medication safety and side effects along with IV line care
• Clear plan on who to contact if you have questions or concerns

What is OPAT?

Our team specializes in managing both intravenous (IV) and oral antimicrobial therapies, ensuring you will receive the safest and most effective treatment plan. We also offer complex oral antimicrobial therapy (COpAT).

The OPAT program at OHSU is part of the Division of Infectious Diseases. Our team is supported  by doctors, nurses, and Infectious Diseases pharmacists who collaborate closely to treat infections, monitor your progress, and support you throughout your long term antimicrobial treatment course to ensure the best possible outcome.

Who is OPAT/COpAT for?

OPAT/COpAT is for people who need long-term and/or complex antibiotic regimens for serious infections. Your care team will work with you to decide if it is the right choice.

Conditions treated with OPAT include:

• Bone and joint infections
• Cardiovascular infections
• Complicated skin or soft tissue infection
• Wound infections
• Bloodstream infections (sepsis or bacteremia)
• Urinary tract or kidney infections that need long-term treatment
• Respiratory tract infections
• Central nervous system infections
• Brain and spinal cord infections
• Abdominal infections

How OPAT works

Where you get OPAT depends on your care needs, preferences and insurance. You may receive treatment:

• At home
• At an infusion center – a facility for people getting IV medications
• At a skilled nursing or rehab facility
• At a dialysis center

IV antibiotics are usually given through a central line. The most common type is called a PICC line. This is a soft, flexible tube placed in a vein in your arm. The tube runs to a larger vein near your heart.

Central lines, such as a PICC line, can stay in longer than a regular IV. So, you don’t need a new IV put in each time you go for treatment.

Every week, a nurse will draw blood for lab tests. Your nurse will also change the dressing on your central line. These steps help the team track your infection and catch any side effects early.

How long do I need OPAT?

How long you need OPAT depends on your infection. Some people receive antibiotics once a day. Others need them several times a day or through the entire day. Your care team will choose a schedule that is both safe and practical for your treatment plan.

Your care team will schedule outpatient appointments with an infectious diseases provider to check your infection. These visits can be in person or by video.

OPAT team

The OHSU OPAT program is led by registered nurses who specialize in infectious disease care. They work closely with infectious diseases providers, pharmacists and medical assistants to support you through the end of your treatment.