Osteomyelitis

Monitor the patient for recurrence of infection and side effects from antimicrobial and other medications.

If the decision is to use intravenous antibiotic therapy for up to 6 weeks, discharge the patient home only if there is a formal outpatient antibiotic therapy service (in conjunction with a primary care service) with appropriate patient selection, vascular access devices, 24-hour supervision, adequate blood monitoring, mechanisms for dealing rapidly with complications, and formal clinical governance structures.

Individualised monitoring of oral therapy can be performed by the primary care doctor in the community if feasible. The frequency of monitoring depends on the duration of disease, the type of surgical management, comorbidities, and the complexity of antimicrobial treatment.