“Our findings suggest that this outpatient program is both safe and effective for patients who need IV antibiotic treatment for cellulitis”-Dr. Krishan Yadav.Cellulitis, a common bacterial skin infection, accounts for 3% of all ED visits. Patients with severe cases that need intravenous (IV) antibiotics are normally admitted to hospital or must return to the ED several times to receive the multiple doses required. 

To make IV antibiotics outside of the hospital more feasible, The Ottawa Hospital opened an “outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy” (OPAT) clinic in 2014. Emergency physicians refer patients with infections requiring IV antibiotics to receive this treatment in the community. 

Patients also receive follow-up care at the OPAT clinic, which is staffed by infectious disease physicians. Patients are seen within a week to determine if they require ongoing treatment or if the antibiotics can be stopped. 

A study led by Dr. Krishan Yadav found there was a 40% decrease in return ED visits among cellulitis patients in the year after the clinic opened compared to the year before, with no change in adverse effects or treatment failure.

“Our findings suggest that this outpatient program is both safe and effective for patients who need IV antibiotic treatment for cellulitis,” said Dr. Krishan Yadav.

Funding: The Ottawa Hospital Academic Medical Organization. All research at The Ottawa Hospital is also enabled by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.

Source: Internal and Emergency Medicine

Core Resources: Ottawa Methods Centre

The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa.   

Media Contact 
Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca