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Offering several benefits, infusion therapy is the fastest way to deliver blood products (red cells, plasma etc), vitamins, medications, or hydration fluids (saline, electrolytes) directly into a person's circulatory system, infusion therapy has become a reliable and beneficial medication administration option for those who cannot take pills orally.

True Care’s in-home infusion therapy services include initial and ongoing education, as well as the close monitoring, follow up, and management of therapy schedules and infusion devices. Our highly specialized resources help clients avoid hospitalization while keeping families together.

With high success rates for several conditions, infusion therapy allows for the administration of larger and/a more controlled amount of medication. Read along as we break down this revolutionary form of medicine. 

What is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy refers to a broad range of medication-based therapies that deliver a substance directly into the bloodstream through the vein, muscle, back, or beneath the skin. Typically, “infusion therapy” is the administration of a drug into parts of the body including the:

• Vein: via a surgically implanted chest catheter or intravenous tube placed in the arm or hand  
• Muscles: infusion therapy may also refer to situations where drugs are provided through injections into the muscles
• Spinal cord: via epidural

How does Infusion Therapy Work?

A bag or bottle is suspended from a stand near the person receiving the medication to allow for a controlled rate of infusion. Medications can also be administered via a manual syringe or infusion pump. Your provider will always advise where the best placement method is for your particular situation. 

Infusion therapies are typically administered by Nurses or other trained healthcare providers, usually in a clinical setting.  However, Infusion therapy may need to be continued after discharge or even started once already discharged to treat certain diseases and infections. Infusion therapies can also be administered in the home, as offered by True Care. 

The most common form of infusion therapy is intravenous (IV) therapy, commonly used when a patient cannot take medications orally or for treatments for which entering a vein would be more effective.

What can infusion therapies treat? 

Infusion therapy is used to dispense many treatments for a wide variety of conditions.
The conditions that infusion therapies can treat include:

• Serious infections 
• Cancer 
• Dehydration
• Gastrointestinal diseases
• Autoimmune diseases
• Heart failure
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Immune deficiencies 
• Crohn's disease

What are the benefits of Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy offers various benefits including:  

• More rapid hydration in cases of severe dehydration, higher energy levels, and reduced fatigue. 
• The delivery of chemotherapy drugs directly into one’s bloodstream. 
• Enabling the body to receive anti-nausea and other medications without the need for additional needle sticks. 
• Enabling the body to fight disease with antibiotics and/or antibodies. 

Infusion Therapy may be also needed as part of the discharge plan for many hospitalized patients. Outpatient infusion services may even prevent a hospital admission or readmission.

How does Infusion Therapy work?

A session of infusion therapy can vary from less than 1 hour to up to 3 hours depending on the drug and what is being treated. Sometimes infusion therapy lasts a couple weeks. In some cases, people receive infusion therapies on an ongoing basis. Either way, home infusion therapy is a safe, effective alternative to traditional infusions in a hospital setting. Some important benefits to receiving your infusion medication from home include:

• Potential for better health outcomes: The comforts of home can do wonders for people fighting infections or managing a chronic condition. Home infusion therapy gives people the chance to heal in a space they’re comfortable in. Rest, a clean place for infusion therapy, and peace of mind can help people achieve better overall health outcomes.
• Lower treatment costs: Hospital expenses can add up quickly. Home infusion therapy is a cost-effective alternative to receiving treatment in a hospital or clinical setting. Accessing infusion therapy from your home can reduce the amount of time you stay in a hospital, which can save you money and reduce the potential harms associated with hospitalization, such as exposure to additional pathogens.
• Greater convenience: Home infusion therapy saves you time by giving you access to the medicine you need from the comforts of home. Home infusion allows people to stick to their normal routines and carry out day-to-day tasks while avoiding waiting rooms and other potential delays.
• Higher safety standards: To ensure safe, quality home infusion services, you must work with an accredited infusion pharmacy. This helps keep infusion pharmacies accountable for their actions and holds them to standards of quality and service. 

Before transitioning to a home infusion setup, it’s best to consult your doctor on which steps are best to take, depending on your current health status.

Summing it Up:

Home Infusion therapy delivers medicine, hydration, and vitamins right in the comfort of your home. Delivering substances straight to the bloodstream, this form of medicine is especially beneficial for patients with digestive issues who struggle to take medications orally. Infusion therapy can replenish the body with necessary nutrients and can help boost recovery. 

True Care RNs normally administer infusions, but we also offer side-by-side training for family members interested in performing this task for their loved ones. With True Care Home Infusion Therapy, clients receive high-tech specialty nursing care in the comfort of their own home. Experience true healing with our infusion therapy services. Call or email us today to get started.

DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.