Name of the Procedure:

Home Infusion Therapy for Infections

• Common Names: Home antibiotic infusion, home antiviral therapy, home antifungal infusion
• Technical Term: S9501 - Home infusion therapy, antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal therapy; once every 12 hours; administrative services, professional pharmacy services, care coordination, and all necessary supplies and equipment.

Summary

Home infusion therapy involves administering medications like antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals directly into the bloodstream at home. This treatment is done every 12 hours and includes professional pharmacy services, care coordination, and all necessary supplies and equipment. The actual medications and nursing visits are billed separately.

Purpose

• Medical Conditions: Bacterial infections, viral infections, fungal infections.
• Goals: To treat infections effectively while allowing patients to remain in the comfort of their homes. Expected outcomes include infection resolution, symptom relief, and improved patient convenience.

Indications

• Symptoms/Conditions: Severe infections requiring intravenous (IV) medication, chronic infections needing prolonged treatment, patients who are stable enough to be treated at home.
• Criteria: Suitable for patients with a stable condition, adequate home environment, and ability to adhere to treatment schedules.

Preparation

• Instructions: Patients may need to fast or adjust specific medications. Pre-procedure instructions will be given by the healthcare provider.
• Assessments: Blood tests, infection cultures, and imaging studies may be required to determine the appropriateness of the infusion therapy.

Procedure Description

1. Initial Setup: Healthcare professional sets up IV infusion equipment at home.
2. Infusion Process: Medication is administered via IV every 12 hours.
3. Equipment Used: IV catheter, infusion pump, sterile supplies, medication vials.
4. Pharmacy Services: Coordination of medication delivery and refill.
5. Care Coordination: Healthcare professionals ensure proper scheduling, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
6. Anesthesia/Sedation: Typically, no anesthesia or sedation is required.

Duration

Each infusion session varies but generally takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. The overall duration of the therapy depends on the infection and doctor's orders.

Setting

Performed at the patient’s home.

Personnel

• Nurses
• Pharmacists
• Care coordinators
• Patient or caregiver (trained for basic tasks)

Risks and Complications

• Common: Minor discomfort or pain at the infusion site, mild allergic reactions.
• Rare: Infection at IV site, severe allergic reactions, catheter-related bloodstream infections, blood clots.

Benefits

• Convenience: Treatment at home without the need for hospitalization.
• Efficacy: Effective treatment of infections.
• Quality of Life: Improved comfort and ease for the patient.

Recovery

• Post-Procedure Care: Regular monitoring of the IV site for infection, adherence to the medication schedule.
• Recovery Time: Depends on the duration of infection treatment. Some restrictions may apply based on the specific case.
• Follow-Up: Periodic visits to the doctor for evaluation.

Alternatives

• Hospital-based Infusion Therapy: Requires hospitalization, leading to higher costs and inconvenience.
• Oral Medications: May not be effective for severe infections.
• Intramuscular Injections: Less commonly used, can be painful and less effective for prolonged therapy.

Patient Experience

• During Procedure: Patients might experience slight discomfort during IV setup and infusion.
• After Procedure: Some fatigue and mild side effects. Pain management measures will include over-the-counter pain relievers and comfort measures like warm compresses.
• Support: Patients have access to healthcare professionals for questions and support during the therapy.

This home infusion therapy aims to make the treatment process as comfortable and convenient as possible while ensuring the effective management of infections.