Name of the Procedure:

Home Infusion Therapy, Antibiotic/Antiviral/Antifungal Therapy
Technical Term: Home Infusion Therapy, HCPCS Code S9502

Summary

Home infusion therapy involves administering medication directly into the patient's bloodstream through a catheter or needle. This specific procedure is designed to deliver antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal drugs every 8 hours and includes all necessary administrative services, professional pharmacy services, care coordination, and supplies.

Purpose

Addresses: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections that need intensive treatment.
Goals: To provide effective treatment for infections while allowing the patient to remain at home, potentially avoiding hospital stays. It aims to manage symptoms, eradicate the infection, and restore the patient's health.

Indications

Symptoms/Conditions: Severe or chronic infections requiring frequent dosing of antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals.
Criteria: Patients who are stable enough for home care but require intensive medication management, often those with immune-compromised conditions or resistant bacterial infections.

Preparation

Instructions:

• Patients may need to ensure they have a sterile area for infusion at home.
• They may be advised to fast or adjust medications if another underlying condition requires it. Assessments: Blood tests to assess infection levels, kidney, and liver function tests.

Procedure Description

1. Initial Setup: A healthcare professional sets up the infusion pump and intravenous line.
2. Medication Administration: The prescribed antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal is infused through the catheter into the bloodstream.
3. Monitoring: A professional may monitor the patient for the first few minutes to ensure no adverse reaction.
4. Ongoing Care: Pharmacists and nurses coordinate care ensuring medication is delivered every 8 hours.

Tools and Equipment: Infusion pump, catheter/needle, IV tubing, sterile dressings.
Anesthesia/Sedation: Generally not needed, though local anesthetic may be used during catheter insertion.

Duration

Each infusion session typically lasts about 30 minutes to 1 hour. However, the entire treatment course can span days or weeks, depending on the infection severity.

Setting

Performed at the patient's home, allowing them comfort and convenience while under the supervision of healthcare providers.

Personnel

• Primary: Home health nurses, pharmacists.
• Supportive: Physicians overseeing the treatment plan and any additional home care support.

Risks and Complications

Common Risks: Local irritation at the infusion site, mild allergic reactions.
Rare Risks: Severe allergic reactions, infection at the catheter site, air embolism.
Management: Immediate medical intervention for severe reactions; routine monitoring to prevent complications.

Benefits

Effective infection management without hospital admission, enabling the patient to continue daily activities with minimal interruption. Benefits are usually realized within the first few days of consistent treatment.

Recovery

Post-Care: Keep the catheter site clean and dry, monitor for signs of infection.
Recovery Time: Varies depending on infection severity; typically, gradual improvement within the first few days.
Restrictions and Follow-up: Limited physical activity recommended; regular follow-up appointments for progress assessment.

Alternatives

Options: Oral medications, hospitalization for intravenous therapy, outpatient infusion centers.
Pros and Cons: Oral meds are less invasive but may be less effective for severe infections. Hospital or outpatient settings offer more intensive monitoring but inconvenience and higher costs.

Patient Experience

During: Mild discomfort or soreness at the catheter site; otherwise minimal discomfort.
After: Likely to feel relief from infection symptoms within a few days, with careful instruction adherence ensuring minimal complications. Pain management strategies and comfort measures are provided by home care professionals.