NTUH Opens New OPAT Centre to Expand Access to Outpatient IV Antibiotic Care

National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) has launched its Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) centre, allowing patients to receive intravenous antibiotics without hospital admission. The new facility integrates referrals from the emergency department, outpatient clinics, and inpatient wards, aiming to streamline care pathways and reduce unnecessary hospital stays.

Coordinated Care Through Multidisciplinary Teams

The OPAT centre is supported by specialists across emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, pharmacy, and nursing. This collaborative approach ensures patients receive comprehensive evaluation, treatment planning, and medication oversight while maintaining continuity of care beyond the hospital setting.

Telehealth Integration to Enhance Patient Follow-Up

NTUH’s Telehealth Centre provides optional virtual follow-up services, enabling remote monitoring and improving treatment adherence. The initiative also aligns with Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration’s outpatient IV antibiotic incentive program, launched in August, which encourages hospitals to expand community-based antimicrobial treatment options.