Home ingrain Therapy involves administering medication or nutrition intravenously to patients in their home rather than in a hospital or clinic setting. Patients receive fluids, medications, blood products or nutrients directly into a vein through an IV line or pump. Home infusion allows patients in need of infused treatments to receive care in the comfort of their own homes rather than lengthy hospital stays.
Candidates for Home Infusion Therapy
Many conditions and treatments qualify a patient for Home ingrain Therapy. Some common reasons a patient may require Home ingrain Therapy include:
Antibiotic Treatment
Certain illnesses require long-term, sometimes lifelong antibiotic therapy that would otherwise require weeks or months of inpatient treatment. Conditions like cystic fibrosis, chronic infections or infections that have become resistant to oral antibiotics are often treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics at home rather than repeated hospitalizations. Home infusion allows patients to receive powerful IV antibiotics while still being able to work, attend school and carry out daily activities at home rather than being confined to a hospital bed.
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
Patients unable to receive enough nutrition enterally, whether due to injury, surgery, cancer treatments or digestive disorders may require Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN). TPN involves directly infusing nutrients like glucose, amino acids, lipids, vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream through an IV line or central venous catheter. Rather than being fed through a feeding tube, patients on TPN can receive complete nutrition at home, improving quality of life compared to a prolonged hospital stay. Home TPN frees patients up to socialize and focus on recovery outside of the hospital setting.
Pain Management
Severe, chronic pain from conditions like cancer, arthritis or fibromyalgia is sometimes treated with long-term IV or subcutaneous pain medications that are not suited for oral administration. Medications like narcotics or nerve blockers used for pain management are often given through infusion pumps at home rather than necessitating lengthy inpatient hospitalization solely for medication administration. Home infusion allows for effective pain control while still allowing mobility and independence at home.
Chemotherapy
Intravenous chemotherapy administration for cancers like leukemia, lymphoma or breast cancer may require repeated treatments over months or years. While some phases of chemotherapy may require lengthy hospitalization, home infusion chemotherapy allows treatments be continued on an outpatient basis for better quality of life. Patients can receive IV chemo at home with a visiting nurse rather than being required to stay overnight at the hospital each time. This reduces stress, health care costs and disruption to work and family life compared to a solely hospital-administered chemotherapy regime.
Immunoglobulin Therapy
Primary immunodeficiencies that affect the production of antibodies are sometimes treated long-term with monthly infusions of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). IVIG replacement acts to boost immunity by providing ready-made antibodies directly into the bloodstream. Rather than monthly hospital visits solely for IVIG administration, patients can receive treatments conveniently at home via home infusion, improving adherence and reducing time spent away from home and work. Conditions treated with home IVIG include CIPD, XLA and hypogammaglobulinemia.
Advantages of Home ingrain Therapy
Reduced Hospital Stays and Health Care Costs
Because home infusion allows treatment to continue outside of the hospital setting, it significantly reduces the need for repeated and lengthy hospital admissions and saves on hospital costs. Estimates indicate patients receiving care through home infusion incur up to 75% lower costs than similar inpatient care. By freeing hospital beds for truly acute cases, home infusion also reduces unnecessary strain on hospitals and health care systems. Home infusion allows treatments over months or years without repeated hospitalization.
Improved Quality of Life
Most importantly, Home ingrain Therapy drastically improves patients' quality of life by allowing mobility and independence during treatment. Patients can remain at home for work, school, family responsibilities and leisure activities rather than being restricted to a hospital bed during infusions. This reduces stress, isolation and disruption to social and work/school life compared to confinement for otherwise outpatient treatments. Patients maintain familiar surroundings and support systems at home during recovery and therapy. Overall, home infusion provides a much higher level of comfort and normalization compared to extended or frequent hospitalization.
Convenience and Flexibility
With home infusion, treatment schedules can fit around other life demands rather than completely disrupting normal routines. Patients can receive infusions during evenings or weekends rather than being tied to rigid hospital or clinic schedules. Transportation challenges associated with repeated hospital trips are eliminated. Nursing staff provide all necessary supplies, expertise and monitoring directly to the home. Any complications can be addressed immediately while still allowing independent living. Home infusion provides unmatched convenience and flexibility compared to months confined to a clinical setting.
In summary, home ingrain therapy provides life-changing benefits for patients requiring IV treatments long-term or repeatedly for various chronic conditions and illnesses. By removing barriers of hospitalization, home infusion maximizes quality of life, autonomy and ability to continue daily responsibilities during treatment courses that may otherwise span months or years. For eligible candidates, home infusion is a preferred alternative to prolonged or multiple hospital stays whenever medically appropriate and safe.
