The effectiveness of elastomeric infusors as an alternative method of delivering continuous infusions of antibiotics via peripheral cannula for hospital in the home patients.

The purpose of this project is to provide evidence for an alternative administration method for short term continuous intravenous (IV) antibiotic infusions in patients with only peripherally inserted venous cannula (PIVC) access. This research will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial. (Intervention) Study device A: Baxter LV10 elastomeric infusor (Control) Study device B: CADD-Solis 2120 programmable infusion pump The Baxter LV10 elastomeric infusor are an infusion device that can be worn on the body that delivers antibiotic using a balloon-like drug reservoir filled under pressure. They are designed to hold 240mL of infusant and deliver this at a set rate of 10ml/hour when connected to the venous cannula. This device is non-electronic, light weight, silent to operate and relatively cheap to purchase per device. The CADD-Solis 2120 is a battery-operated infusion pump that can be worn on the body and requires programming by a trained clinician to deliver an infusion at the desired infusion rate. This device features built-in safety checks and alerts, however the pumps are expensive to purchase and are not as light at the Baxter infusor and is not always appropriate for young children or persons with mobility issues. Patient's referred to HITH for short term (<14 days planned) of intravenous antibiotics who meet all the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria will be consented to participate in this study. Participants will be randomised to receive their antibiotic treatment course by either study device A or study device B for the duration of treatment unless withdrawn from the study. Participants receive instructional materials regarding the appropriate management of designated device in the home including trouble-shooting guide and contact numbers for assistance if required. These materials are standard of care for all patients on the HITH program, written and supplied by Bundaberg HITH service with exception of the Baxter infusor guide pamphlets, designed by Baxter Healthcare. 24hr support provided by Hospital in the Home clinical nurses is available for all study participants in line with routine HITH patient care. Trained clinical nursing staff are responsible for seeing participants daily as part of the Hospital In The Home usual care but will in addition perform the recording of pre-infusion and post-infusion data (device weight and time connected, then the device weight and time disconnected) for each infusion device used by each patient, and changing over the infusion every 22-24 hours.