IV Antibiotic Infusions for Referred Patients in Melbourne
Some infections require antibiotic treatment that cannot be managed with oral tablets alone. In these cases, your GP, specialist or hospital doctor may recommend an intravenous antibiotic infusion, where prescribed antibiotics are delivered directly into your bloodstream through a small cannula.
At Infusion Network, we provide medically supervised antibiotic infusions for referred patients in a professional outpatient setting. Our service is designed for patients who have already been assessed by a treating doctor and require IV antibiotic administration as part of their care plan.
You will need a valid referral and prescription from your doctor before booking an antibiotic infusion.
What is an antibiotic infusion?
An antibiotic infusion is a treatment where antibiotic medication is administered through a vein using an intravenous cannula. This allows the medication to enter the bloodstream directly.
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They do not work against viral infections such as most colds, flu or COVID-19. Healthdirect explains that antibiotics work by killing bacteria or stopping them from multiplying, helping your immune system fight the infection.
IV antibiotics may be used when a bacterial infection needs stronger, faster or more targeted treatment than oral antibiotics can provide.
Who may need an antibiotic infusion?
Your doctor may recommend an antibiotic infusion if you have a bacterial infection that needs intravenous treatment, or if oral antibiotics are not suitable for your situation.
Antibiotic infusions may be considered for patients who:
Common reasons for IV antibiotic treatment may include certain skin, soft tissue, wound, urinary, respiratory, bone, joint or post-surgical infections. The exact reason and medication must be determined by your treating doctor.
Why would IV antibiotics be used instead of tablets?
Oral antibiotics are commonly used for many infections, but they are not always appropriate. IV antibiotics may be recommended when the infection is more serious, when oral medication is not working, or when the specific antibiotic required must be given intravenously.
Australian Prescriber notes that parenteral antibiotics may allow some serious infections with no suitable oral therapy to be treated outside hospital, where clinically appropriate.
Your doctor will consider:
Infusion Network does not diagnose infections or decide which antibiotic you need. This is managed by your referring doctor.
What happens during an antibiotic infusion appointment?
Your appointment will usually include a brief clinical check, confirmation of your referral and prescription, insertion of a cannula, administration of the prescribed antibiotic, and monitoring during or after treatment.
The process generally involves:
1. Arrival & confirmation
We confirm your personal details, referral, prescription, allergy history and relevant medical information.
2. Clinical preparation
A clinician will explain the infusion process, check how you are feeling and answer any questions before treatment begins.
3. Cannula insertion
A small intravenous cannula is inserted into a vein, usually in your arm or hand.
4. Antibiotic infusion
Your prescribed antibiotic is administered through the cannula over the required time.
5. Monitoring
You may be observed during and after the infusion, especially if it is your first dose or if your doctor has requested monitoring. The time required depends on the medication prescribed, the dose, and your individual treatment plan.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. Antibiotic infusions require a referral and prescription from your GP, specialist, hospital doctor or treating medical practitioner.
Your referring doctor is responsible for:
The NSW Clinical Excellence Commission notes that patients prescribed antimicrobial therapy should receive information about when, how and for how long to take the medicine, possible side effects, and the review plan.
What infections may require IV antibiotics?
IV antibiotics may be used for a range of bacterial infections, depending on the diagnosis and treatment plan from your doctor.
These may include selected cases of:
Not every infection requires IV antibiotics. Many bacterial infections can be treated safely with oral antibiotics, and some infections do not need antibiotics at all. Your doctor will advise what is appropriate.
Are antibiotic infusions safe?
Antibiotic infusions are commonly used, but all medicines can have side effects. Your doctor should discuss the benefits and risks of the prescribed antibiotic before treatment.
Possible side effects may include:
Antibiotics can also cause gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or loss of appetite.
Tell the clinician immediately if you feel unwell during the infusion, or if you notice rash, swelling, breathing difficulty, chest tightness, dizziness, severe itching or pain around the cannula site.
Antibiotic resistance and responsible use
Antibiotics should only be used when clinically needed. Using antibiotics when they are not required can contribute to antibiotic resistance, which means bacteria can become harder to treat in the future.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care describes antimicrobial stewardship as activities that support optimal antimicrobial prescribing and use.
For patients, this means:
Before your antibiotic infusion
Before attending your appointment, please make sure you have:
Please tell the clinic if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, immunocompromised, have kidney disease, have had previous allergic reactions, or have recently been in hospital.
After your antibiotic infusion
After your infusion, follow the instructions provided by your referring doctor. You may need further doses, a follow-up appointment, pathology tests, wound review or a change in antibiotics depending on your response.
Seek urgent medical care if you experience:
Contact your doctor if your symptoms are not improving, or if you feel worse after starting treatment.