What is Home Infusion Therapy?
Infusion therapy involves the administration of medication through a needle or catheter. It is prescribed when a patient’s condition is so severe that it cannot be treated effectively by oral medications. Typically, “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).
Diseases commonly requiring infusion therapy include infections that are unresponsive to oral antibiotics, cancer and cancer-related pain, dehydration, gastrointestinal diseases or disorders which prevent normal functioning of the gastrointestinal system, and more. Other conditions treated with specialty infusion therapies may include cancers, congestive heart failure, Crohn’s Disease, hemophilia, immune deficiencies, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
Until the 1980s, patients receiving infusion therapy had to remain in the inpatient setting for the duration of their therapy. Heightened emphasis on cost-containment in health care, as well as developments in the clinical administration of the therapy, led to strategies to administer infusion therapy in alternate settings. For individuals requiring long-term therapy, inpatient care is not only tremendously expensive but also prevents the individual from resuming normal lifestyle and work activities.
Home infusion has been proven to be a safe and effective alternative to inpatient care for many disease states and therapies. For many patients, receiving treatment at home or in an outpatient infusion suite setting is preferable to inpatient care. Many home infusion therapy providers operate one or more ambulatory infusion suites which are ideally suited for certain patient-therapy situations.
An infusion therapy provider is most normally a “closed-door”, state-licensed pharmacy that specializes in provision of infusion therapies to patients in their homes or other alternate-sites—called a home infusion therapy pharmacy. The infusion therapy always originates with a prescription order from a qualified physician who is overseeing the care of the patient.
Why is it better than staying in the hospital?
Studies indicate that patients, who prefer to be home, do heal better at home than in the hospital. Not all patients are candidates for home infusion therapy, your doctor or medical professional will advise you if you are an appropriate candidate for home therapy. For patients that do receive home infusion therapy, the psychology and physical advantages are evident. Home Infusion care (vs. hospital infusion care) can help promote better health and an improved quality of life. Treatment is often less expensive and provides better results, which is good for everyone. Advantages of home infusion therapy include:
- Medical care provided in the comfort of your home― in familiar surroundings.
- Maintains involvement with family, friends and pets.
- Provides convenient professional medical support and assistance for those caring for a loved one at home; eliminating long hospital visits and unnecessary traveling and expenses.
- Promotes personal dignity and discreet medical care― ensuring privacy and comfort.
- Patient is actively involved with their medical care, learning personal care from skilled nurses and are actively in control of their treatment and care.
Does health insurance cover Home Infusion Therapies?
Yes. Most health insurance companies do cover home infusion therapy care. Click here to view a list of healthcare insurance companies that are accepted by Advanced Care.
