A retrospective study of 249 patients with serious Staphylococcus aureus infections found that partial oral antibiotic therapy achieved a 90% treatment completion rate compared to 98% for all-intravenous therapy. While oral therapy was particularly effective for bone and joint infections (73% of cases), it was associated with a 4.5-fold higher risk of treatment non-completion. Clinical failure rates were similar between groups (26% vs 25%), suggesting oral therapy remains a viable option despite adherence challenges in vulnerable populations.
