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The idea of receiving infusion therapy in your home may seem unfamiliar at first, and you probably have lots of questions. Below, please find some answers that may help put you at ease.
If you have additional questions, please consult your doctor, or contact your local Critical Care Systems branch.
What is infusion therapy?
Is it safe to receive infusion therapy at home?
What types of therapy can be delivered intravenously in the home?
What medical conditions can be treated with infusion therapy?
Am I a candidate for home infusion therapy?
Is infusion therapy in the home more cost-effective than in a hospital?
How do I receive my home infusion therapy? Who administers it?
Can I travel while on home infusion therapy?
Will my insurance cover home infusion therapy?
What credentialing and accreditation programs are available for home infusion providers? Is accreditation required?
What is infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy involves the administration of medication through a needle or catheter. It is usually prescribed when a patient’s condition cannot be treated with oral medication.
Critical Care Systems specializes in providing infusion therapy to people in their homes. Our services include the clinical management of drug therapies, nursing support, and care coordination.
Is it safe to receive infusion therapy at home?
The short answer is yes. Until about 30 years ago, patients needing infusion therapy had to remain in the hospital until their therapy was completed. With the advent of new technologies and pharmaceuticals that allow therapeutic services to be administered safely and effectively outside of the hospital setting, home infusion therapy has become more common.
Home infusion therapy is a proven, safe, and effective alternative to hospital inpatient care. For most people, receiving treatment at home or in an alternative treatment setting, like an ambulatory infusion suite, is preferable to hospital inpatient care. It provides comfort and convenience for patients and offers little interruption to their daily activities. It is also a cost-effective alternative to expensive hospital stays.
What types of therapy can be delivered intravenously in the home?
Critical Care Systems specializes in providing the following home infusion therapies:
- Anti-infective therapy (antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral)
- Nutrition support (total parenteral nutrition, or TPN)
- Immunoglobulin (IG) therapy
- Inotropic therapy
- Pain management
- Hydration therapy
- Chemotherapy
What medical conditions can be treated with infusion therapy?
We work closely with other healthcare professionals to clinically manage patients with the following complex conditions:
- Infectious diseases
- Nutritional/gastrointestinal disorders
- Cancer and hematological disorders
- Primary immune deficiencies
- Autoimmune disorders
- Decompensated heart failure
- Pre- and post-transplantation support
Am I a candidate for home infusion therapy?
The decision to receive infusion therapy in the home is made between you and your doctor. Several factors are considered before a patient can receive infusion therapy in the home, including the patient’s and/or caregiver’s desire and willingness to comply with therapy and the presence of a safe and appropriate home environment.
Is infusion therapy in the home more cost-effective than in a hospital?
Costs associated with the home delivery of infusion therapy are estimated to be a 60% cost savings over a traditional inpatient setting such as a hospital. 1
How do I receive my home infusion therapy? Who administers it?
Critical Care Systems develops a customized plan of care focused on your home infusion therapy needs. Our most important concern is your safety and comfort.
Once you are discharged from the hospital and ready to receive your therapy at home, we will schedule your infusion appointment at your convenience. Your infusion medication is then mixed in a local, accredited Critical Care Systems branch pharmacy that meets all industry sterility standards. The medication is delivered to you and is administered by a registered nurse specifically trained in specialty infusion therapy.
You will also receive support from our local multidisciplinary team of clinicians and support staff who provide:
- 24/7 availability of registered nurses and pharmacists
- Proper patient and caregiver education, training, and monitoring
- Assistance with insurance benefit verification and authorization
- Regular communication with your doctor concerning your treatment
- Professional, friendly, and compassionate support
Can I travel while on home infusion therapy?
Critical Care Systems regularly cares for patients who travel, work, coach baseball, play baseball, and do just about anything you can think of. We have infusion devices that are lightweight and portable and require only a backpack, purse, or even a pocket for transport.
Our pharmacies have the capability to support all of your home infusion needs while you travel for work or pleasure within the continental United States.
Will my insurance cover home infusion therapy?
Home infusion care is covered by most insurance companies. We will work with your insurance company to obtain patient benefit verification and authorization and will directly bill them for our services.
What credentialing and accreditation programs are available for home infusion providers? Is accreditation required?
There are no specific regulations requiring an infusion provider to become accredited. However, in many instances, insurance companies require providers to be accredited to serve their patients. Accreditation ensures that the specialty infusion provider meets or exceeds all industry standards.
All Critical Care Systems branch pharmacies are accredited by the established accrediting body, the Joint Commission (formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, or JCAHO).
1 Milliman; Acute Infusion Analysis, December 2009
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