Safe and effective home IV antibiotic care for Veterans
Ensuring Safe and Effective Delivery of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy for Veterans
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · NIH-11264641
This project seeks to improve how Veterans get IV antibiotics at home by strengthening monitoring, care coordination, and caregiver support to reduce complications and hospital returns.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11264641 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you are a Veteran receiving IV antibiotics at home, this work will look at how OPAT (home IV antibiotic) is managed across the Veterans Health Administration and what problems Veterans and caregivers face. The team will collect real-world data, review processes at VHA sites, and speak with Veterans, caregivers, and clinicians to learn about safety and coordination gaps. They will use those findings to design and try out practical strategies to make home IV care safer and easier to follow. The goal is to create clearer systems and supports that fit Veterans' needs and home settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans discharged with a vascular access device to receive outpatient IV antibiotics through the VHA, and their family caregivers who help with home care.
Not a fit: People who are not getting IV antibiotics at home—such as those treated entirely in hospital or with only oral antibiotics—or non-VHA patients may not benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Veterans could experience fewer IV line complications and hospital readmissions and receive clearer training and support for home antibiotic therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows OPAT can be safe when teams and monitoring are in place, but this is one of the first comprehensive efforts to map and standardize OPAT care across the VHA.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HARROD, MOLLY — VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- Study coordinator: HARROD, MOLLY
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.