Home Infusion Therapy

Article Submitted by Pat Limbaugh, Sales Manger Medi-Quip/OptionCare.
For more information, she can be reached at 800-762-3946, or by e-mail: plimbaugh@bellsouth.net.

Home infusion therapy allows patients to receive vital medications and fluids without the inconvenience or costs of a hospital stay. Patients are continually monitored to ensure care that is timely and accurate. Clinical pharmacists are also available to assist physicians with pharmacokinetic monitoring. Home infusion has been proven to be a safe and effective alternative to inpatient hospital stays, and for most patients receiving treatment at home is much more desirable.

Infusion therapy originates with a prescription from a physician overseeing the care of the patient. A provider of home infusion must be a licensed pharmacy, or work in conjunction with a licensed pharmacy. Home nursing services are also provided to ensure proper patient education and training and to monitor the care of the patient in the home.

By far, the most common home infusion therapies are I.V. antibiotics, prescribed primarily for diagnoses such as cellulites, sepsis, and osteomyelitis; other diagnoses include infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and sinusitis. Other major home I.V. therapies include total parenteral nutrition (TPN), enteral nutrition, chemotherapy, pain management, IV immune globulin, dobutamine, growth hormones, and other therapies.

Unfortunately, the only home infusion therapies currently covered by Medicare are those which are administered using durable medical equipment (a mechanical or electronic pump). Only a select few therapies are covered which include antiviral therapies, some chemotherapies, some inotropic therapies (i.e. dobutamine), pain management, enteral nutrition, and total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

To be a successful candidate for home infusion therapy, a patient must be able to perform self-care or have a capable person who will be devoted to and responsible for their therapy.