“OPAT helped me get my life back,” said Dale Denemark, JPS Health Network Patient.
For Dale Denemark, independence has always been part of who he is. After battling multiple infections and undergoing more than 30 surgeries, including the loss of his leg and several fingers, Denemark found strength through determination, family, and the JPS Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) program team.
“My eight-year-old granddaughter is what made me persevere,” Denemark said. “I wanted to see her grow up. I’ve got three kids, but she gives me that extra push. I also love hunting for antiques, vintage bikes, and old treasures. OPAT helped me get back to doing that. It helped me live my life again.”
At JPS, prioritizing patients’ needs is at the heart of everything we do. That means finding innovative ways to help them access care, overcome barriers, and live fully, even while managing complex medical conditions. The OPAT program, led by the Infectious Disease team, is one of those innovations changing lives across Tarrant County.
“I love them all. I wouldn’t be here without them. They’re top-notch, every single one of them. I’m just grateful for the program, for how they treat people, and for giving me my life back.”
The OPAT program allows patients who require intravenous, or IV, antibiotics to safely self-administer them at home. Rather than spending weeks in the hospital or a skilled nursing facility, patients receive training, support, and supplies so they can continue treatment comfortably and independently.
“It’s amazing to watch patients come in terrified with a scary diagnosis and then see everything start to click,” said Taylor Snow, NP, OPAT ID. “Once they realize they can do this, they become empowered to take care of themselves.”
While OPAT programs exist elsewhere, few use the self-administered model like JPS does.
“Many hospitals don’t offer this approach,” Aarthi Narasimhan, MD, Infectious Disease Physician and Medical Director for the program at JPS. “For our JPS Connection and uninsured patients, this program is especially valuable. It allows them to receive treatment safely and effectively, often at little or no cost.”
Denemark was one of those patients who proved the power of OPAT. What began as a challenging case soon became an example of how self-administered antibiotic therapy can transform recovery.
“When they offered the OPAT program, I was all in,” Denemark said. “They explained everything and asked if I thought I could manage it myself. I’d had peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) before, so I said ‘yes.’ They gave me all the supplies, and I laid them out on the table and figured out how to do it. Vanessa helped me get set up, and I proved I could manage the process on my own.”
For Denemark, being home was essential to healing. The OPAT program gave him the freedom to recover on his own terms, and that independence helped him stay motivated, confident, and engaged in his care, which are key roles that contributed to his remarkable recovery.
“That way, I didn’t have to go to a rehab facility or rack up extra costs,” Denemark said. “I could stay home, cook my own meals, and be surrounded by my stuff.”
Dr. Narasimhan remembers Denemark's determination clearly. He always led with a focus on what he could do and not what he couldn’t. That mindset made all the difference.
“We were initially concerned because of his amputations,” Dr. Narasimhan said. “But he was determined and learned quickly. Even with those challenges, he proved he could do it. His success really shows what’s possible when patients are supported and given the chance to take control of their care.”
The OPAT program is housed within the Infectious Disease Clinic and supported by a skilled team of nurses, medical assistants, and physicians.
“Our team carefully screens each patient,” said Selenia Garcia, Director of Community Health. “Once qualified, they receive one-on-one teaching sessions with a ‘teach-back’ approach to ensure they feel confident before going home. Patients also leave with educational videos, written instructions, and contact information in case they need help. The day after discharge, the team calls to check in and make sure everything’s going smoothly.”
The hands-on training and support are designed to give patients the skills and confidence to manage their care independently at home.
“We teach patients to administer the antibiotics themselves,” said Vanessa Swarts, MSN, RN, VA-BC, OPAT Coordinator at JPS. “We provide written instructions, educational videos, and a color-coded syringe map. If patients need support, we involve family members, but they always do it themselves. It’s about giving them independence and confidence to heal at home.”
Patients consistently share positive feedback about being part of the OPAT program, as it helps them feel more in control of their health journey.
“Last year, 58 percent of patients said they were able to return to work because of OPAT, and 100 percent said they preferred it over home health care,” Garcia said. “That independence is life-changing for them and their families.”
Beyond patient satisfaction, the program has had a measurable impact on hospital efficiency and cost savings.
“On average, each OPAT patient saves about three inpatient bed days,” Garcia said. “Since the program began, we’ve served more than 700 patients and saved over 2,000 bed days. That helps us free up hospital beds for other patients and reduces costs for everyone.”
Behind every OPAT success story is a compassionate team committed to empowering patients.
“From the moment you walk in, they make you feel cared for,” Denemark said. “The reception team and the nurses. Everyone is friendly, respectful, and they listen. They treat every patient with dignity.”
Dr. Narasimhan said those personal connections make all the difference.
“It’s rewarding to see patients gain independence and stay healthy,” Dr. Narasimhan said. “Some of our most successful patients were those we initially thought wouldn’t qualify. With the right support, they prove us wrong every time.”
The program’s impact goes beyond clinical outcomes; it’s about watching patients gain confidence and take control of their recovery.
“Watching patients start out scared in the hospital, then learn, adapt, and take control of their care is the most rewarding part of this job,” said Snow. “Seeing their confidence grow and helping them regain independence is why we built this program.”
Today, Denemark continues to visit JPS regularly for check-ins and to stop by the clinic to say hello to the team that changed his life.
“I love them all,” Denemark said. “I wouldn’t be here without them. They’re top-notch, every single one of them. I’m just grateful for the program, for how they treat people, and for giving me my life back.”
The OPAT program is a shining example of how JPS combines compassion, innovation, and patient empowerment to deliver care that goes beyond medicine.
At JPS, we’re here for you every step of the way, helping patients heal, live, and thrive on their own terms.
Looking for services at JPS? Visit https://jpshealthnet.org/get-care/services.