Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT)

We are an outpatient service for the administration of intravenous antimicrobial treatment. Patients can be referred to us while they are receiving treatment during their hospital stay. Outpatient referrals are also accepted after our Infectious Disease consultants have reviewed them. As such, patients can avoid hospitalisation.

With our multi-disciplinary care approach, we will coordinate the care of our patients with their primary physician. Our team comprises Infectious Disease physicians, registered nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists and colleagues from operations. Working hand-in-hand with other disciplines, we strive to provide patients holistic care.

Our Team

Range of Services

Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) services include:

• Management of infection.
• Management of vascular access device daily or during scheduled treatment.
• Patient and family education on vascular access device, antibiotic side effect(s) and/or infusor.
• Training of caregiver for administration of intravenous antibiotic via elastromeric pump.

Home Caregiver Administration (HCA)

• Training for the administration of intravenous antibiotic via the elastromeric pump to patients and/or caregiver can be provided. The training can commence while the patient is hospitalised.
• The administration is only allowed to commence when the patient/caregiver has shown competence and confidence in doing the procedure.
• Patient education materials (PICC and Infusor) are available for the patient's/caregiver's reference.
• A 24-hour hotline is provided for patients/caregivers for emergency support.

OPAT Outreach
OPAT nurses can provide home visits to administer the intravenous antibiotic if patients meet the selection criteria.

Dengue Outpatient Management (DOM)
The DOM clinic manages dengue patients who meet a set of criteria safely without the need to be admitted to the hospital. These patients are referred from our Emergency Medicine Department.

Services offered in the DOM clinic:

• Daily blood investigation via venepuncture for condition monitoring.
• Patient education on managing dengue by registered nurses.
• Daily updates of full blood count results by registered nurse.

Cost of OPAT
Patients will be informed of estimated cost before treatment begins.

Payment can be made via:

1. Medisave (for Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents)
• Medisave claim is capped at $2,400 per year.
• Blood and radiology investigation, doctor's consultation and other procedures are not legible for medisave claim.
2. Cash/Nets/Credit Card

Publications
- NUH/NHG Publications
- Clinical outcomes

Contact Us