Home administration of aerosolized drug therapy (e.g., pentamidine); administrative services, professional pharmacy services, care coordination, all necessary supplies and equipment (drugs and nursing visits coded separately), per diem
HCPCS code
Name of the Procedure:
Home Administration of Aerosolized Drug Therapy
Summary
Home administration of aerosolized drug therapy involves delivering medication in a mist form directly to the lungs using a nebulizer machine. This service can be provided at home and includes professional pharmacy services, care coordination, and all necessary supplies and equipment. Drugs and nursing visits are billed separately.
Purpose
This procedure is used to treat respiratory conditions or infections such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The goal is to deliver medication directly to the lungs where it can be most effective, improving respiratory function and alleviating symptoms.
Indications
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma
- Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis or treatment
- Cystic fibrosis
- Persistent respiratory infections
Preparation
- Consult with your physician and pharmacist to understand the therapy.
- Ensure the nebulizer machine and supplies are prepared and clean.
- No specific fasting or significant medication adjustments are usually required beforehand.
Procedure Description
- Assemble the nebulizer machine and add the prescribed medication to the medicine cup.
- Connect the tubing and mouthpiece or mask to the medicine cup.
- Plug in the machine or ensure it is adequately charged.
- Place the mouthpiece in your mouth or the mask over your nose and mouth, ensuring a tight seal.
- Turn on the nebulizer machine.
- Breathe in the aerosolized medication deeply until the medication is gone, usually about 10-15 minutes.
- Turn off the machine and clean the equipment as per instructions.
Tools and Equipment: Nebulizer machine, medicine cup, tubing, mouthpiece or mask, prescribed medications.
No anesthesia or sedation is needed for this procedure.
Duration
The medication delivery typically takes around 10-15 minutes per session.
Setting
This procedure is performed at home with all necessary equipment provided by a healthcare provider or pharmacy service.
Personnel
- A trained nurse or respiratory therapist for initial setup and patient education.
- Pharmacist for medication preparation.
- Ongoing monitoring by healthcare providers remotely or via scheduled visits.
Risks and Complications
- Minor throat or mouth irritation
- Voice changes
- Rare chance of infection from improperly cleaned equipment
- Allergic reaction to the medication
Benefits
- Convenient and comfortable treatment at home
- Direct delivery of medication to the lungs for quick and effective relief
- Reduced frequency of hospital visits for chronic respiratory conditions
Recovery
No significant recovery time is needed as this procedure is non-invasive.
- Follow the cleaning and maintenance instructions for the nebulizer equipment.
- Attend follow-up appointments as scheduled for assessment of treatment efficacy.
Alternatives
- Oral or injectable medication forms
- Hospital-based aerosol therapy
- Inhalers (for those who can coordinate their breathing effectively with the device)
Pros: Home administration is convenient and avoids frequent hospital visits. Cons: Requires proper technique and equipment maintenance, and not all medications can be aerosolized.
Patient Experience
- You might feel a mild cold sensation during inhalation of the medicated mist.
- The procedure is generally comfortable, and pain management is not needed.
- You might experience a slight cough or throat dryness post-procedure, which typically resolves on its own.