Immune Deficiency Program

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

What are immune deficiencies?

Primary immune deficiencies are disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or does not function properly and is typically caused by intrinsic or genetic defects in the immune system.  Secondary immune deficiencies are disorders in which the immune system is compromised by factors outside the immune system - such as viruses or chemotherapy.

Some immune deficiencies result from environmental factors or are secondary to other causes.  One example is the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS, which is caused by the HIV virus.  Other immune deficiency diseases occur or are acquired as the result of having cancer, severe nutritional disorders, burns, infections, exposure to radiation or organ transplantation.

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

Critical Care Systems clinically manages a number of primary immune deficiencies, including some of the following:

• Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)
• Selective IgA deficiency
• Severe Combined Immune Deficiency
• X-linked Agammaglobulinemia (Bruton's Disease)
• X-linked hyper-IgM deficiency

Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG)

Immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG), a concentrate of antibodies purified from blood plasma, helps prevent a wide variety of infectious diseases (bacterial and viral), 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.

Immune Deficiency 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
• Assistance with patient evaluation and discharge planning support from hospital/clinic to home