Infusion Therapy Support & Services for Patients

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. Read more about infusion therapy treatments.

Home and alternate site infusion therapy is a proven, safe and effective alternative to hospital inpatient care.[*]Bhole, M. V., Burton, J., & Chapel, H. M. (2008). Self-infusion programmes for immunoglobulin replacement at home: Feasibility, safety and efficacy. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America,28(4), 821-832. [*]Souayah, N., Hasan, A., Khan, H., et al. (2011). The safety profile of home infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin in patients with neuroimmunologic disorders.Journal of Clinical Neuromuscular Disease, 12(suppl 4), S1-10. For most people, receiving treatment at home or in an alternate treatment setting, like an infusion suite, is preferable to hospital inpatient care. It can provide comfort and convenience for patients and offers less interruption to their daily activities. It can also be a cost-effective alternative to expensive hospital stays.[*]Home infusion therapy: Differences between Medicare and private insurers’ coverage. (2010, June). United States Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional Requesters. Accessed July 23, 2012: http://www.gao.gov/assets/310/305261.pdf. [*]Einodshofer, M. (2012). A plan for medical specialty medications – increase member access, affordability and outcomes while decreasing plan costs. Presented at: 2012 Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Annual Drug Benefit Conference; 2012 Feb. 22-24; Scottsdale, Ariz.

Option Care Health specializes in providing a wide range of home infusion therapies, including but not limited to:

AI – Anti-infective infusion therapy (antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral therapy)

NS – Nutrition support infusion therapy (enteral and parenteral nutrition)

IG – Immunoglobulin infusion therapy (immunodeficiency and autoimmune therapy)

HF – Heart failure infusion therapy (inotropic therapy)

BD – Bleeding disorders infusion therapy (factor replacement therapy)

We work closely with doctors and healthcare providers to clinically manage patients with a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, including but not limited to:

• Infectious diseases
• Nutritional/gastrointestinal disorders
• Cancer and hematological disorders
• Primary immune deficiencies
• Hemophilia
• Autoimmune disorders
• End-stage heart failure
• Pre- and post-transplantation support

The decision to receive infusion therapy in the home or at an alternate site is made between you and your doctor or healthcare provider. 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.

Once a patient is discharged from the hospital and ready to receive therapy outside of the hospital setting, we will schedule an infusion appointment at the patient’s convenience. The infusion medication is then mixed in a local, accredited Option Care Health branch pharmacy that meets all industry safety and sterility standards. The medication is delivered to the patient and is administered by an experienced nurse specifically trained in infusion therapy.