Blog

IV Infusion Therapy: The Benefits of Receiving Home Infusion Treatment from an Infusion Nurse

September 27, 2022
For patients, infusion therapy can seem like a hassle, what with all the trips to and from the hospital, not to mention the cost of transportation can be an additional burden to the growing cost of recovery. Ever since the advancement of in-home infusion therapy, patient’s have been benefiting from the cost-efficiency of having this as a better alternative. There are many reasons why you should consider taking your infusion therapy at home, but above all those reasons, nothing truly beats the comfort of your very own home.

 

What is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy is a medical treatment that involves the administration of medication or other treatments directly into the bloodstream. This can be done through a vein in the arm or through a port that is inserted under the skin. Depending on the necessities and the condition of the patient, IV therapy is prescribed and is found to be the most effective route of a treatment since the administration is done intravenously. 

Common prescription drug therapies that are administered intravenously are antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral, chemotherapy, hydration, pain management, and parental nutrition. Infusion therapy is especially administered to patients who have been diagnosed with chronic and sometimes rare diseases which require special infusion medications.
 

What is an Infusion Nurse?

An infusion nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in the administration of intravenous fluids and medications. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. Infusion nurses are responsible for assessing patients' needs and creating individualized care plans. They also monitor patients' progress and respond to any complications that may arise. 
 

Can Infusion Therapy Be Done at Home?

In-home infusion therapy is a great way to receive treatment for many different medical conditions. By receiving treatment in the comfort of your own home, you can avoid the hassle and stress of having to go to a hospital or clinic. In-home infusion therapy also allows you to continue your normal routine, which can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed. It's also a good choice for people who have trouble getting to medical appointments. Receiving treatment at home means you don't have to worry about traffic, crowds, or long waits in a doctor's office. You can relax in your comfortable environment and receive the care you need without having to travel. Additionally, in-home infusion therapy can often be more cost-effective than receiving treatment at a hospital or clinic.
 

How Effective is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy is a highly effective means of delivering medications and other treatments directly into the body. By bypassing the digestive system, infusion therapy can provide relief from symptoms and promote healing faster than traditional oral delivery methods. Infusion therapy is commonly used to treat various conditions, including chronic pain, cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. 
 

What Type of Conditions Can Infusion Therapy Be Used For?

Infusion therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including cancer, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. The therapy involves the infusion of drugs or other treatments directly into the bloodstream. This allows the treatment to reach the entire body quickly and effectively. Infusion therapy is often used when other forms of treatment, such as oral medication or injections, are ineffective.

Infusion therapy is used for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:
  • Autoimmune diseases 
  • Cancer 
  • Crohn's disease 
  • Cystic fibrosis 
  • Gastrointestinal disorders 
  • Hematologic disorders 
  • Infectious diseases 
  • Neurological disorders
 

What Are The Benefits of Infusion Therapy? 

There are many benefits of infusion therapy. Some of the most notable include:

1. Increased accuracy and faster delivery of medication. With infusion therapy, medications can be delivered more accurately and faster than oral medications. This is especially important for medications that need to be delivered quickly to be effective.

2. Increased safety. Infusion therapy allows for the delivery of medications and other treatments directly to the bloodstream, which reduces the risk of side effects. It also allows for the monitoring of blood pressure and other vital signs, which helps to ensure safety during treatment.

3. Increased comfort. Infusion therapy often causes less discomfort than oral medications. This is because there is no need to swallow pills, which can sometimes be difficult or uncomfortable.

4. Increased convenience. Infusion therapy can often be administered at home, which eliminates the need for repeated trips to the doctor's office or hospital. This is especially helpful for patients who have a busy lifestyle or who live far from medical facilities.

5. Increased effectiveness. By delivering medication directly to the bloodstream, infusion therapy ensures that the medication reaches its target destination quickly and effectively. This can help to improve treatment outcomes and provide relief from symptoms faster.
 

What To Expect with In-Home Infusion Therapy? 

In-home infusion therapy provides the same infusion therapy you would receive in a hospital or clinic, but done within the comforts of your own home. This is exactly why you would need an infusion nurse to make sure that your infusion sessions go well and are handled professionally. There are a lot of technicalities involved in infusion therapy such as the changing of needles and alternatives to a standard IV line, depending on what is recommended by your doctor. This means central lines may be inserted into different locations such as your neck, chest, groin, and arm, and remain there for an extended period. 
 

How Long Does an IV Infusion Therapy Last?

Depending on your condition and what your doctor recommends, IV infusion therapy can last between 30 minutes to several hours. The length of each treatment truly depends on numerous factors, and the medication administered is one of them. 
 

What Are the Roles of An Infusion Nurse? 

Registered Infusion Nurses are mainly responsible for administering and overseeing health clinical services within the confinements of the patient’s home. The Registered Infusion Nurse is also in charge of ensuring the quality of the services given to the patient. Moreover, they are responsible for making sure that there is uniformity in the level of care given to the patient while following the appropriate procedures for administering IV medication. This is why our nurses here in BrightStar Care Bedford constantly thrive to provide a higher standard of care to all of our patients. 


Looking into IV Infusion Therapy may be overwhelming, but with BrightStar Care, we ensure to make the process so much easier for you. We are confident that our team of professionals will assist you in looking for the right Infusion Nurse to take care of your loved one by keeping you in the loop and more. Contact us online or by phone at 603-606-9058 and by visiting us at our location Bedford, NH601 Riverway Place Bedford, NH 03110.