Table 2.

Goals and Subgoals, With Associated Tasks Required to be Performed by Patients and Informal Caregivers, Required for OPAT Performance as Perceived by Patients.

Goal	Subgoal	Others Involved With Patient and Caregiver	Task
Learning about OPAT (at transition from hospital to home)	Become informed about OPAT	Inpatient nurse Inpatient clinician	Receive preliminary information in hospital Obtain understanding of venous catheter Obtain understanding of antimicrobial therapy
	Initiate start of care visit	Home health nurse	Schedule start of care visit Arrival of home health nurse
	Instruct in OPAT task performance with verbal information	Home health nurse	Receive instruction from nurse Choose who receives instruction
	Task performed with supervision	Home health nurse	Show nurse how to do task
	Receive written instruction about OPAT task performance	Home health nurse	Receive written instructions or protocols Receive additional instruction added to printed protocols
	Receive guidance on managing the venous catheter during activities of daily living	Home health nurse	Learn how to perform activities of daily living Learn how to care for line Learn how to keep dressing dry when bathing
	Receive instruction about troubleshooting	Home health nurse	Learn signs of problems Learn when to troubleshoot Learn when to ask for help Learn when to seek emergency attention
	Become accustomed to performing OPAT		Learn skills over time Learn what additional questions to ask Become accustomed to OPAT over time
Delivery of supplies and medications (ongoing while on OPAT)	Receives delivery	Courier or delivery person	Time delivery for when patient is home Assist delivery person with locating home
Administration of medication and maintenance of venous catheter (daily while on OPAT)	Schedule infusions		Develop a routine Remember to administer medication Take the medication on time Arrange administration around work, doctor visits, sleep, and nursing visits Arrange work and sleep around OPAT Adapt to schedule changes
	Manage the duration of infusion		Know when infusion starts Know when infusion stops Set infusion rate
	Clean the surface		Identify a clean workspace Wash off countertop or workspace
	Set up supplies		Set up equipment
	Clean hands		Wash hands with soap and water Use hand sanitizer
	Keep the medication at an appropriate temperature		Keep the medication cool Keep the medication in the refrigerator Know when to remove the medication from the refrigerator
	Access the venous catheter		Remove clothes
	Administer the antimicrobial agent		Follow laid out steps Reach the venous catheter Set up new medication Put medication in case Flush out air Flush with saline Swab hub with alcohol Unclamp line Connect medication Inject medication Flush with saline and heparin
	Stop the infusion		Procedure to stop infusion Clamp line Disconnect used antibiotic
	Dispose of waste		Dispose of liquid waste and spills Identify where to dispose of used supplies
	Administer medication in syringe or elastomeric device: specific task		Know when the infusion is complete
	Prime the tubing when using mini-bags: specific task		Prime medication
	Reconstitute antibiotic when using mini-bag: specific task		Mix antibiotic Shake antibiotic Identify needleless connector
	Monitor infusion rate when using mini-bag: specific task		Set the medication drips to the appropriate rate Set the dial to the appropriate rate
	Program pump for continuous or intermittent infusion medication: specific task		Program pump for continuous or continuous intermittent infusion
	Monitor power level on pump for continuous or intermittent infusion: specific task		Verify battery is charged Know when battery needs to be charged Charge battery
Prevent harm while performing activities of daily living (daily while on OPAT)	Bathe		Keep dressing dry Cover dressing Acquire dressing cover Keep pump dry Keep line out of water
	Dress		Need to get sleeve over antibiotics
	Care for pets		Cover line Wash hands
	Move around		Run errands or chores Arrange line while driving Arrange line while running errands Arrange medications while moving
	Cook and clean		Keep line clean
Troubleshoot (daily while on OPAT)	Identify when things may be going wrong	Home health nurse	Look for signs of infection Look for signs of clot Identify problem Respond to beeping of pump
	Contact health care team when complications arise	Home health nurse Home health staff Outpatient doctor Home infusion pharmacist	Call nurse Call other home health staff Communicate with outpatient doctor Communicate with home health or home infusion team
	Assess for complications remotely	Home health nurse Home health staff Outpatient doctor Home infusion pharmacist	Describe complications over the telephone Describe complications over email or electronic health record messaging
	Assess for complications in the home	Home health nurse Home health staff Outpatient doctor	Arrange nurse visit Assist nurse while attempting troubleshooting Assist in decision to reassess complication
	Assess for complications in clinic	Outpatient doctor	Attend clinic visit Assist doctor or nurse in understanding complication
	Attempt own troubleshooting	Home health nurse	Attempt own troubleshooting Listen to nurse instructions for how to troubleshoot
Monitor status on treatment (ongoing and at end of treatment)	Change venous catheter dressing	Home health nurse	Determine who can change the dressing Determine where the dressing can be changed Troubleshoot problems with the dressing
	Draw blood and send for laboratory testing	Home health nurse	Time blood draws with medication administration
	Monitor of overall condition	Staff in outpatient clinic Outpatient clinicians	Travel to clinic appointment Time infusion around clinic appointment Attend clinic appointment
	Remove venous catheter at end of therapy	Outpatient clinicians Home health staff Home health nurse Home infusion pharmacist	Receive order to remove venous catheter Arrange for venous catheter removal

Abbreviation: OPAT, outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy.