By Inflame A recent study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases reveals that using oral antibiotics instead of intravenous (IV) therapy for bone and joint infections can significantly improve patient outcomes. Patients treated with oral antibiotics were discharged faster and spent less time in the hospital without an increase in treatment failure rates.
Traditionally, IV antibiotics have been the go-to treatment for these infections. However, evidence now suggests that oral antibiotics can be just as effective for many patients, providing a safer and more convenient alternative. This shift could also reduce the risks associated with IV therapy, such as catheter-related complications.
To explore the benefits of this approach, researchers from Stanford University, led by Marten R. Hawkins, analyzed the impact of a new hospital guideline implemented in April 2023. The guideline encouraged switching to oral antibiotics where possible. They compared outcomes from patients treated under the new guideline with those from a pre-guideline period.
Key findings include:
- More Patients on Oral Antibiotics: 70% of patients in the post-guideline group were discharged on oral antibiotics, compared to 25% in the pre-guideline group.
- No Increase in Treatment Failures: Treatment failure rates remained similar—8% in the pre-guideline group versus 9% in the post-guideline group.
- Shorter Hospital Stays: Patients treated under the new guideline had a median stay of 7 days, compared to 8 days previously.
- Fewer IV Line Issues: The post-guideline group reported fewer complications related to PICC lines (1% vs. 6%).
The study concludes that switching to oral antibiotics offers a practical and effective solution for managing bone and joint infections. It not only maintains similar clinical outcomes as IV therapy but also reduces the strain on hospital resources by shortening stays and minimizing adverse events.
These findings pave the way for broader adoption of oral antibiotics in treating similar infections, improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs.