Parkland Memorial Hospital's self-care IV therapy program.

ANTI-infective agents; ANTIBIOTICS; HEALTH services accessibility; INTRAVENOUS therapy; EVALUATION of medical care; MEDICAL quality control; PATIENT-professional relations; PATIENT education; QUALITY assurance; HEALTH self-care; DECISION making in clinical medicine; PHARMACODYNAMICS

The article presents a case study of Parkland Health & Hospital System's novel long-term antibiotic program for patients to improve health care delivery and health care resources' use. The self-care IV antimicrobial therapy program allows low-income patients to self-administer drugs or work with a caregiver on the task. Eligible patients are educated on self-care protocol and referred to a pharmacist on the antibiotic and its use. Personal motivation is found to drive patient performance.