Infusion therapy involves the administration of medications or nutritional solutions to a patient through a catheter or a needle. Infusion therapy can be used to administer antibiotics/antiviral and pain medication among other therapies. For a long time, infusion therapy was administered in a hospital setting. With some therapies requiring long-term administration and the cost of in-patient stay high, infusion therapies began to be administered in alternative settings. Now it is more of a common practice for infusion therapy to be administered in a home setting. Infusion therapy is administered by gravity or an infusion pump. In addition to portable electronic infusion pumps, new non-electronic elastomeric pumps are available for some therapies that are easier for a patient to use at home.
For infusion therapy to be administered in a home setting, many factors need to be worked out and coordinated. The team of professionals administering the medication, the procurement of medications, the durable medical equipment (e.g., infusion pump), the medical supplies and the home environment needed for the safe administration of the therapy are a few of the areas that need to be determined.
The team administering the medication needs to be aware of the previous therapy being administered, what further therapy is needed, and where any supplies and medications can be stored in the home. Medications will need to be delivered or picked up and stored in a safe/secure area. It could be possible that separate storage will need to be arranged for medication away from food storage and children. The home area for therapy will need to be free of clutter and debris. Supplies will need to be stored close to the administration area, and sterile supplies will need to remain sealed until the time of use. A list of supplies will need to be kept to ensure that when certain supplies are low, an order can be placed so that therapy is not interrupted. Some supplies will most likely be used up before others. A list makes sure nothing is forgotten. Home infusion patients are monitored to ensure continued therapy is safe and effective.
There is a lot to consider when infusion therapy begins. There are services to coordinate not only for the family but also the health professionals. Northwood can help with this coordination. Northwood has over 20 years’ experience authorizing injury related infusion therapy services, providing cost-effective solutions to the payor and helping families and professionals coordinate the care needed to ensure that the physician prescribed infusion therapies are administered appropriately in the home setting.
Northwood can assist with coordinating medications, home health visits, durable medical equipment/infusion supplies and work with you to find a cost-effective solution for home infusion services. Northwood understands that different therapies require different supplies and setup needs. The administration is based upon the therapy and needs of the patient and can change as the situation progresses. For more information, contact Northwood at 1-877-684-9276
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