In Home Infusion Therapy Treatment by BrightStar Care Nurses
One of the many services that an RN can provide is infusion. This service has become in demand largely
due to its benefit of reducing hospital stays and thus reducing cost. Infusion therapy involves the administration of medication through a needle or catheter. It is prescribed when a patient's condition is so severe that the most effective route of treatment is intravenously. Generally, “infusion therapy” means that a drug is administered intravenously, but the term also may refer to situations where drugs are provided through other non-oral routes, such as intramuscular injections and epidural routes (into the membranes surrounding the spinal cord). “Traditional” prescription drug therapies commonly administered via infusion include antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, chemotherapy, hydration, pain management and parenteral nutrition. Infusion therapy is also provided to patients for treating a wide assortment of chronic and sometimes rare diseases for which “specialty” infusion medications are effective such as IVIG. While some have been available for many years, others are newer drugs and biologics. The most common home infusion therapies are IV antibiotics prescribed primarily for such diagnoses as cellulitis, sepsis, and osteomyelitis; other diagnoses include urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and sinusitis. Before home infusion therapy was available the administration of these medications would require many days of hospitalization. The cost of a day in the hospital can range from $1,700 to $2,600 for just one day. Now, thanks to the availability of home infusion services programs like the one here at BrightStar Care, IV medications can be given in the comfort of the patients’ home that are cost effective, provide high degree of comfort and help patients return to their regular daily activities while managing their health. Infusion services have provided reduced cost, increased patient comfort and provided the patient with the freedom to plan their day without the limitations a hospital stay would incur. The infusion team here at BrightStar Care is already providing many services such as IVIG, antibiotics, enzyme therapy and factor for hemophiliacs. We hope to provide many more new clients with IV infusions in the home in the near future. Adapted from www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov The Journal of Infusion Nursing
due to its benefit of reducing hospital stays and thus reducing cost. Infusion therapy involves the administration of medication through a needle or catheter. It is prescribed when a patient's condition is so severe that the most effective route of treatment is intravenously. Generally, “infusion therapy” means that a drug is administered intravenously, but the term also may refer to situations where drugs are provided through other non-oral routes, such as intramuscular injections and epidural routes (into the membranes surrounding the spinal cord). “Traditional” prescription drug therapies commonly administered via infusion include antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, chemotherapy, hydration, pain management and parenteral nutrition. Infusion therapy is also provided to patients for treating a wide assortment of chronic and sometimes rare diseases for which “specialty” infusion medications are effective such as IVIG. While some have been available for many years, others are newer drugs and biologics. The most common home infusion therapies are IV antibiotics prescribed primarily for such diagnoses as cellulitis, sepsis, and osteomyelitis; other diagnoses include urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and sinusitis. Before home infusion therapy was available the administration of these medications would require many days of hospitalization. The cost of a day in the hospital can range from $1,700 to $2,600 for just one day. Now, thanks to the availability of home infusion services programs like the one here at BrightStar Care, IV medications can be given in the comfort of the patients’ home that are cost effective, provide high degree of comfort and help patients return to their regular daily activities while managing their health. Infusion services have provided reduced cost, increased patient comfort and provided the patient with the freedom to plan their day without the limitations a hospital stay would incur. The infusion team here at BrightStar Care is already providing many services such as IVIG, antibiotics, enzyme therapy and factor for hemophiliacs. We hope to provide many more new clients with IV infusions in the home in the near future. Adapted from www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov The Journal of Infusion Nursing