This study aims to evaluate if meropenem can be administered in outpatients as a continuous infusion using elastomeric pumps and an isothermal pouch maintaining the anti-infective solution between 10° and 15°C for improved stability.

The Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) unit of the University Hospital of Lausanne uses elastomeric pumps for continuous intravenous administration of 6 different antibiotics. This mode of administration is possible for all antibiotics with a time-dependent bactericidal effect.

Meropenem belongs to this class of antibiotics, but is not stable at room temperature in elastomeric pumps. However, this antibiotic is stable at 10°C and 15°C. The investigators have therefore developed an isothermal pouch that allows the anti-infective solution to be maintained at a temperature between 10 and 15°C over 24 hours.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of meropenem administration using an elastomeric pump maintained at a temperature between 10° and 15°C by an isothermal pouch.

The possibility of being able to administer meropenem by elastomeric pumps would greatly facilitate the ambulatory management of patients requiring treatment with this anti-infective drug.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients referred to the OPAT unit for a anti-microbial treatment with meropenem
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Informed consent signed

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients refusing a PICC-line
• Pregnancy or desire of a pregnancy
• Patients considered to be not eligible for outpatient treatment by the OPAT team