Home Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy is a safe way to take medications or fluids that can’t be taken by mouth. Instead, they flow through a flexible tube (catheter) that’s placed in a vein or just under the skin—usually on your arm or chest. This is called the infusion site.
Advantages of Home Therapy
Home infusion therapy allows you to live a more normal life. Home therapy also costs less than treatment in a hospital. With proper care, there is little risk of infection.
Your Role
With home therapy you take an active role in your treatment. A home health care company brings your supplies, and a nurse shows you what to do. You need to know the following:
Call the Nurse
Call the nurse if you notice any of the
following problems:
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There is redness, swelling, drainage, or pain around the infusion site.
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Your temperature is higher than normal or you have chills.
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You have swelling in your chest, arm, or neck. Fluid may be leaking into the tissue.
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The catheter or tubing comes out.
Turn off the system and call the nurse if:
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The pole falls over and something breaks, or you have a problem putting the pole upright and restarting the system.
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The solution isn’t running smoothly through the tubing.
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There is a tear or leak in the tubing or the catheter.
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The alarm on the pump comes on.
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Publication Source:
Cox JA, Journal of Infusion Nursing, 28(2), Home infusion therapy: Essential characteristics of a successful education process: grounded theory study, Mar 1, 2005, pp 99-107
Publication Source:
Smy J, Nursing Times, 101(15), IV nursing in the patient's home, Apr 12, 2005, pp 44-45
Publication Source:
Tice AD, Clinical Infectious Diseases, 38(12), Practice guidelines for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy. IDSA guidelines, Jun 15, 2004, pp 1651-72
Date Last Reviewed:
1/15/2007
Date Last Modified:
8/14/2003