Critical Care Systems is dedicated to providing high-touch, clinical care and customer service to both pediatric and adult patients with autoimmune disorders.  Each community-based branch pharmacy has an experienced multidisciplinary team who can manage all aspects of a patient’s autoimmune disorder support needs. 

What is an autoimmune disorder?

Autoimmune disorders are conditions caused by an immune response against the body’s own tissues.  Autoimmune disorders develop when the immune system destroys normal body tissue.  This is caused by a hypersensitivity reaction similar to allergies, where the immune system reacts to substances that it normally would ignore.  Autoimmune disorders result in the destruction of one or more types of body tissues, abnormal growth of an organ, or changes in organ function.  A person may experience more than one autoimmune disorder at the same time. 

Many patients will receive Immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG) for autoimmune disorders intermittently over a period of months or years depending on their condition.

With the support of the medical community, IVIG is used to treat numerous FDA approved and off-label autoimmune disorder conditions, which include:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome

• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

• Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS)

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

• Multifocal Motor Neuropathy

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Myasthenia Gravis

Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG)

Immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG), a concentrate of antibodies purified from blood plasma, helps prevent a wide variety of bacterial and viral infectious diseases, and other autoimmune diseases, and is used in the maintenance and treatment of patients unable to produce sufficient amount of antibodies.  IVIG is given intravenously via peripheral or central venous route, is administered by a pump and typically take 4 to 6 hours in duration.  Response to treatment is usually seen within a few days.

Autoimmune Disorder Support Program: The Critical Care Systems Difference

Our Comprehensive Approach to Care

• Local full-service branch pharmacies staffed with experienced pharmacists, nurses, client service representatives and reimbursement specialists who can manage all aspects of a patient’s autoimmune disorder support needs
• A flexible service model, offering high-touch patient care and clinical management in the home or alternate site settings, such as our ambulatory infusion suites (AIS) or a physician’s office
• Ongoing patient evaluation, monitoring and trending of patient lab values
• Resources and support available for bilingual or hearing impaired individuals
• Extensive IVIG product availability

Clinical Excellence

• Registered nurses and clinical pharmacists monitor administration-related side effects of IVIG and assist with management of IVIG products based upon diagnoses
• Standardized IVIG protocols help to minimize adverse reactions
• Fully-licensed JCAHO accredited pharmacies with ISO 5 (class 100) compounding environments, meeting USP 797 mixing standards

Our Service Commitment

• High-touch patient care and customer service provided by professional, experienced and friendly staff
• Registered nurses and clinical pharmacists specifically trained in administering specialty infusion available 24/7
• Local reimbursement specialists verify patient benefits, obtain authorization and assist with insurance coverage guidelines and questions