The clinical rotation in the Home IV Program provides the Pharmacy Resident with training and experience in the management of various infectious diseases (ID) requiring at least 2 weeks of IV antibiotics in the ambulatory setting.

Common infections seen on the Home IV Program may include but are not limited to diabetic foot infections, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, prosthetic joint infections, bacteremia, cellulitis, endocarditis, CF exacerbations, CNS infections and intra-abdominal infections.

The Home IV team consists of six ID physicians, two Home IV nurses, and two clinical pharmacists. The rotation may occur at either of two sites: Royal Jubilee Hospital or Victoria General Hospital. Time may also be spent at the Outpatient Antimicrobial Therapy clinic located at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. There can be up to approximately 50 patients in the Home IV program.

The primary focus of the rotation will be on direct patient care activities, including but not limited to:

● Conducting initial patient workups
● Developing and implementing care and monitoring plans
● Counselling patients on Home IV antibiotics
● Conducting at minimum weekly follow up calls
● Collaborating with the ID physicians and Home IV nurses regarding proposed interventions and care plans
● Documenting patient interactions and recommendations in the patient’s electronic chart
● Creating medication administration records for patient teaching

The remainder of the time consists of working on assigned projects and presentations for the Home IV team or pharmacy staff and participating in therapeutic discussions on relevant infectious diseases. The resident is provided with feedback in real time, informally on a weekly basis and is formally evaluated at the rotation midpoint and at the end of rotation by their preceptors.