INFUSION THERAPY
Infusion therapy involves the administration of medication through a needle or catheter. It is prescribed when a patient’s condition is so severe that it cannot be treated effectively by oral medications. Typically, “infusion therapy” means that a drug is administered intravenously; however, the term also may refer to situations where drugs are provided through other non-oral routes, such as intramuscular injections and epidural routes (into the membranes surrounding the spinal cord).
When a patient is in need of infusion therapy, Carmichael’s is a leader in providing the highest quality care, state-of-the-art equipment and ancillary supplies. Our experienced and highly trained staff of pharmacists, and technicians works together with physicians and nurses to ensure positive patient outcomes. We enable countless people to receive infusion therapy safely and effectively at home. Our services are available 24 hours a day.
Benefits of Home Infusion Therapy:
- Patients are more comfortable in their own, familiar surroundings, often recovering faster, with fewer complications;
- Home infusion therapy is often more cost-effective for both the patient and hospital;
- Home infusion therapy may eliminate the need for hospitalization entirely;
- The patient and family enjoy an enhanced quality of life, enabling the patient to participate in the routine activities in the home and enjoy the support of the family unit; and,
- Many patients can continue life activities and otherwise leading normal lives throughout the duration of their therapy.
Services Provided:
- Compounding of sterile IV formulations, following established pharmacy practice guidelines exactly as ordered by the physician;
- Assessment of patient to determine the best infusion device; and,
- Ongoing patient monitoring for optimum care, including:
- Review of full patient medication profile to monitor for drug interactions, duplication of therapy and adverse reactions – our pharmacists, using state of the art computer software, monitor for potential drug-drug, drug-food and disease interactions;
- Review of laboratory values to ensure adequate dosing and avoid possible toxicity;
- Assistance of attending physician in dosage changes;
- Development of patient-specific care plans to address goals of therapy, potential problems and interventions to avoid any complications; and,
- Facilitation of communications amongst patient or caregiver, home health agency, hospice and physician.
Carmichael’s is committed to providing the highest standard of comprehensive clinical services to patients requiring infusion therapy. Carmichael’s accreditation by The Joint Commission ensures that Carmichael’s meets the highest industry standards. Our pharmacy staff has over 50 years of IV experience and is available for you and your patients on a 24-hour basis. In-services at an institutional facility can be arranged upon request. We are locally operated and are dedicated to the well-being of our community and patients.
Please contact a Carmichael’s representative to discuss any infusion therapy needs, to request additional information or to check your insurance or other available coverage.
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Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy provides intravenous nutritional support for patients who cannot ingest food. A patient who suffers from a poorly functioning gastrointestinal tract or whose disease state requires bowel rest benefits greatly from this therapy. TPN therapy provides a source of protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins to provide optimal nutrition to ensure healing and wellness.
Whether adult or child, formulations can be modified to provide for each patient’s individual fluid, electrolyte and caloric needs. We work closely with each patient’s doctor and dietician to meet their nutritional goals.
Disease states that may require TPN therapy include:
- Pancreatitis
- Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Bowel obstruction
- Short bowel syndrome
Please contact a Carmichael’s representative to discuss any TPN therapy needs, to request additional information or to check your insurance or other available coverage.
Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition (IDPN) therapy is a valuable source of protein and calories for chronic hemodialysis patients who, despite aggressive oral supplementation, still develop decreased albumin levels, weight loss and muscle loss.
Malnutrition is of great concern in dialysis patients because of its association with morbidity, increased hospitalization and mortality. Studies have documented that 20%-60% of chronic hemodialysis patients are malnourished. Low serum albumin levels are one of the strongest predictors of survival in both peritoneal and hemodialysis patients. Improving nutritional intake in this population typically has been difficult or unsuccessful. Even after correcting anemia and inadequate dialysis, many patients remained malnourished. Studies have suggested that patients on dialysis and patients with albumin levels less than 3.4 have benefited from the addition of IDPN therapy.
Services – Our clinical team of pharmacists, technicians and nurses can derive individual formulation to provide for each patient’s individual nutritional needs and the following:
- Direct delivery to the dialysis unit in an efficient and timely manner;
- Intravenous (IV) pumps, poles and tubing for administration;
- Refrigeration for proper storage of IDPN, upon request; and,
- 24 hours a day on-call services.
Benefits:
- Improvement in patient’s appetite, strength and overall well-being;
- Replacement of nutrients lost during the dialysis process;
- Increase in dry body weight;
- Increase in serum albumin levels;
- Decrease in overall hospitalization rates; and,
- Improvement in wound healing outcomes.
Criteria for Initiating IDPN Therapy (Oral supplementation should be attempted prior to initiating IV nutritional support):
- Albumin levels less than or equal to 3.4 gm/dL; or
- Prealbumin levels less than 15 mg/dL; or
- Serum creatinine less than 8mg/dL; or
- Weight loss greater than 10% of estimated ideal body weight or greater than 20% of usual body weight; or
- Dietary history of decreased intake of protein less than 0.8gm/kg/day or caloric intake of less than 25kcal/kg/day; or,
- Clinical examination results consistent with a diagnosis of moderate to severe malnutrition.
Please contact a Carmichael’s representative to discuss any IDPN therapy needs, to request additional information or to check your insurance or other available coverage. Many private insurance companies will approve IDPN therapy with sufficient documentation indicating level of need from their clinician. Medicare patients who have permanent impairment of their gastrointestinal tract may qualify for IDPN therapy.
Antibiotic therapy generally is the use of antibiotics to treat, prevent or improve illness. Once a patient has been diagnosed with an infection, but has the capacity to recuperate at home, Carmichael’s can provide antibiotic therapy to fully facilitate the patient’s healing process within the comforts of the patient’s own home.
Some of the most common infections that may be treated with antibiotic therapy include:
- Pneumonia
- Serious cases of Sinusitis
- Bronchitis
- Osteomyelitis
- Cellulitis
- Staph infections
The delivery system for antibiotic therapy includes one of the following:
- An ambulatory pump that allows the patient to move around;
- A stationary pump that hangs from a pole and is immobile; or,
- An elastomeric pump – a disposable, automated infusion system.
Carmichael’s requires a referral from the patient’s doctor or the hospital caseworker in order to deliver the proper medications and application equipment. Carmichael’s will deliver the medication, delivery system and the IV site maintenance supplies for the convenience of our patients. We coordinate patient education with the home health agency that will be attending the patient in order that the patient understands everything about the medication and the workings of the delivery system. All patients are monitored for the duration of the therapy. At Carmichael’s, we consider ourselves the liaison for coordination of care between the physician, the pharmacist and the nursing staff.
Please contact a Carmichael’s representative to discuss any antibiotic therapy needs, to request additional information or to check your insurance or other available coverage.
Pain management therapy generally is employed for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with pain. The majority of our pain management clients are hospice patients and chronic pain sufferers. Our pain management infusion medications can be delivered intravenously or subcutaneously and Carmichael’s knowledgeable staff will work closely with the patient’s doctor and nurses to achieve appropriate levels of pain relief to assure a good quality of life. Pain pumps can be programmed to provide both a continuous infusion and an as-needed bolus delivery for breakthrough pain.
Carmichael’s provides medications, IV supplies and a pump to deliver the medication, which is administered either by a hospice nurse or a home health nurse.
Please contact a Carmichael’s representative to discuss any pain management therapy needs, to request additional information or to check your insurance or other available coverage.
Hydration therapy treats dehydration and replaces fluid loss secondary to many disease conditions or medical treatments, such as:
- Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) during pregnancy
- Crohn’s disease
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
Carmichael’s requires a referral from the patient’s doctor or the hospital caseworker in order to deliver the proper medications and application equipment.
The delivery system for hydration therapy includes one of the following:
- An ambulatory pump that allows the patient to move around;
- A stationary pump, on an IV pole for patients who are less mobile; or,
- The appropriate rate-regulated tubing, which does not require a pump.
Please contact a Carmichael’s representative to discuss any hydration therapy needs, to request additional information or to check your insurance or other available coverage.
Specialized infusion therapy includes Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG) and Inotropic Infusion Therapy.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG)
Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy is used in a variety of different disease states including, but not limited to:
- Primary Immunodeficiency (PID);
- Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP);
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP); and,
- Other autoimmune diseases, including Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
This therapy is generally infused by a medical professional and is typically given every 20-30 days.
Working in conjunction with your medical provider and nurses, the appropriate infusion device and supplies will be provided to make this therapy as easy a process as possible.
Inotropic Infusion Therapy
Inotropic infusion therapy is used to treat the most severe cases of heart failure and for any patient awaiting a heart transplant. Often, a heart patient in this condition can no longer perform daily activities because of the inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood throughout the body.
Dobutamine and Milrinone are the mainstay treatments for inotropic therapy. While there are many criteria that must be met to qualify for this treatment, the knowledgeable staff at Carmichael’s will work closely with your cardiologist to ensure that all tests and documentation required are present in order to qualify for therapy.
An ambulatory pump will be provided so that a patient can enjoy the increase in well-being and everyday life. Most every patient will have a central IV line for this type of infusion therapy. Carmichael’s can provide the supplies necessary to maintain the safety of this central IV line.
Please contact a Carmichael’s representative to discuss any specialized infusion therapy needs, to request additional information or to check your insurance or other available coverage.
Carmichael’s proudly offers state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technology for infusion methods. Our full line of intravenous (IV) pumps and supplies address a wide range of patient needs, leading to the perfect fit for each patient case. In addition, our pumps and supplies are geared toward ease of use for home use.
We offer:
- Stationary pumps
- Ambulatory pumps
- Disposable pumps
- Syringe pumps
- IV catheter care
For many patients who have central IV lines, which also require routine maintenance, Carmichael’s has the largest product line in the region to best suit their needs. If we do not carry a specific product, our customer service representatives will search diligently to locate a product or a source for a product to satisfy the specific need.
Please contact a Carmichael’s representative to discuss any IV pumps and supplies needs, to request additional information or to check your insurance or other available coverage.
Accredited/Certified by The Joint Commission