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Home treatment a success for many patients with serious skin infectionTuesday January 18 2005 A study by the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, in association with Pegasus Health and Christchurch Hospital, shows that many patients can be successfully treated at home for the serious skin infection, cellulitis The trial, just published in the prestigious British Medical Journal, compares home treatment with intravenous antibiotics for cellulitis with traditional hospital-based treatment. However, this research has found that equivalent patient outcomes to
hospital care can be achieved at home using visiting nurses supported
by General Practitioners. Principal researcher from the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr Paul Corwin, says the results showed that there were no differences in any clinical outcomes between home and hospital treatment. “The only major difference between the two groups was in patient satisfaction which was much better for those treated at home compared to those in hospital,“ says Dr Corwin. "Furthermore home treatment costs were only about two-thirds that of hospital treatment." The study points out that only about one third of patients needing intravenous antibiotics for cellulitis were considered suitable for home treatment. Many patients with this condition were frail or had other medical conditions which precluded treatment at home. “Patients with cellulitis require careful daily monitoring,” says Dr Corwin, “and in 11 cases in our study they had to be transferred back to hospital. But for the large majority, the trial indicates home treatment for selected patients using intravenous antibiotics is a success when managed well, and is as good as hospital care.” Dr. Graham McGeoch, Clinical Leader of Patient Services at Pegasus Health says this research was funded as part of its Community Care Programme to demonstrate that well resourced general practice can look after quite complex care in people’s homes. “Hospitals have been regarded as the only place to be when unwell, but many people can be treated just as effectively in the community,” he says.” Patients tell us that sleeping in their own bed and being looked after by their family helped them to heal. We are delighted with the outcome of this trial and believe that we have developed a really exciting service in Christchurch which can be developed a lot further and has produced a lot of interest from all around the world. “ Pegasus Health have funding from Canterbury DHB to provide the Community Care Programme which supports general practice teams looking after acutely unwell people. General practice and primary care can help relieve the Emergency Department load when they are well organised. Both Pegasus Health and the researchers say one of the interesting outcomes of this study is that it raises questions as to what other conditions can be treated at home in a similar way. For further information please contact. Dr Paul Corwin Dr Graham McGeoch
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