By training uninsured patients to safely self-administer long-term intravenous antibiotics, public hospitals may be able to reduce hospital stays and radically change patient treatment, according to research conducted by UT Southwestern Medical Center physicians in Dallas.
The physicians examined the outcomes of patients who self-administered long-term IV antibiotics and compared them to the outcomes of those whose antibiotics were administered by a healthcare worker. Contrary to typical expectations, the group that administered their own antibiotics had better outcomes.
"This really taps into human potential, giving a voice to the uninsured at the same time that it offers an opportunity for enormous cost savings to hospitals," said study author and UT Southwestern assistant professor Kavita Bhavan, MD.
For more findings from the study, click here.
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