Information For Patients
What
is home infusion therapy?
Home
infusion is the delivery of medications to patients in their homes that would
normally be given in a hospital or clinic setting. Examples include
intravenous medications, injections of medications into the muscles or tissues,
and even medications given into the space around the spinal cord.
What types of patients receive home infusion
therapy?
There
are many different types of patients, in all phases of wellness that can
receive infusions at home. Patients with infections can receive
intravenous antibiotics at home. Patients with cancer can receive
chemotherapy at home. Patients with severe pain can receive intraspinal
or intravenous pain medications in the home. These are just a few
examples.
Would home infusion therapy be right for me?
If
your doctor admits you to the hospital for treatments that can be safely given
in your home by skilled nurses and pharmacists, home infusion therapy may be
right for you.
Likewise, if
your doctor instructs you to go to a clinic on a routine basis for a treatment
that can be given in the home, home infusion might be right for you.
Some
medications need to be given in a very controlled setting, like a hospital or
clinic, but most medications today can be given safely and cost-effectively in
the home setting.
What does a home infusion pharmacy do?
As
your community home infusion pharmacy, Vital Care's responsibility is to
prepare your medications under sterile conditions in our preparation rooms,
dispense all of the necessary supplies that you and your nurses will need to
give the medication, dispose of your medical waste and provide professional
pharmacy consultation on the use and monitoring of the medication the doctor
has prescribed. Many times our pharmacists are involved in monitoring
patient's lab results and suggesting changes in the medication to the
physician.
How do I make arrangements to get home infusion therapy?
There
are several ways that you can get information and possibly make arrangements to
receive home infusion therapy.
1)
Contact your doctor. Ask him or her if your medication can be
given in your own home by a nursing agency, or home infusion pharmacy.
2)
Contact Vital Care at
(334) 375.0469 and ask to speak to one of our
corporate pharmacists or nurses. We can give you additional information
needed to make your home care arrangements.
3)
Contact a local home care agency, and ask them if they provide
home infusion nursing services. If they do, ask them if they can work
with a Vital Care Home Infusion Pharmacy to get your home care started
Does insurance pay for home infusion
therapy?
The
answer depends on your insurance, your coverage plan, your medical condition,
and the medication that the doctor is prescribing.
One of the
services offered by Vital Care is to contact your insurance provider and get
all the information we need to decide whether or not your therapy can be
reimbursed if administered in the home.
Will I have to give the medication to
myself? Will someone in my family have to do it?
There
is amazing technology today that can make even some of the most complicated
therapies much easier to give in the home. Many patients are taught to
give their own medication, and learn to do it easily and safely.
However, in
many situations nurses from a community home health agency are involved.
They come to your home as needed to administer the medication for you.
I think that I, or a loved one, might be
interested in home infusion therapy. How can I get more information?
Please
call us at Brandon Gibbs 334.375.0469 or 334.874.9495
Click here to send a message!
Services:
