A cost analysis of Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT): an Asian perspective

Abstract

The concept of Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) is relatively new in Asia. This study compared the actual costs and outcomes of care involving OPAT with conventional inpatient-only care at a university hospital in Singapore. Actual costs were obtained for selected patients enrolled in OPAT after 1 January 2005 and these costs were directly compared with those of age-, gender- and diagnosis-matched patients managed as inpatients only prior to the availability of OPAT in the preceding 12 months. Outcomes of patients were also considered. The OPAT and inpatient-only groups comprised 72 and 93 enrolments, respectively. Mean treatment duration for OPAT patients was 42.5 days versus 19 days for those receiving inpatient-only care (P < 0.001). The mean total treatment cost for OPAT and inpatient-only care was US$12 736 and $12 403, respectively (P = 0.706). Mean cost per day for care including an OPAT episode was US$278 versus $457 per day for inpatient-only care (P < 0.001). There was no difference in outcomes between the two groups. OPAT is a viable alternative to inpatient care as it is safe, effective and results in lower daily costs. The trend to longer treatment courses is worthy of further review. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. and the International Society of Chemotherapy.