Imagine your Gl tract suddenly stopped functioning. That happened to Amanda, who lives with gastroparesis. Diagnosing the problem and landing on an effective treatment is a journey Amanda says she “wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.”
Independence is highly valued among patients with chronic medical conditions, and home infusion therapy plays a significant role in supporting that independence. Unfortunately, changes in coverage policies and unpredictable fluctuations in out-of-pocket costs can introduce barriers and create uncertainty, turning many patients into advocates.
Serious infections can sideline the best of plans. That’s what happened to Jusup, a Montana-based YouTuber with the ambitious goal of running a 100-mile race through the Salmon River mountains of Idaho. “I had never even raced in a 5K,” he recalls, “but, I was progressing in my goal of running at least 2 miles every day for a year and thought it would be a good test.”
Danell Haines, PhD, Research Consultant
Home infusion is a site of care (SOC) option for patients requiring intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) medications for treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions.
Jennifer Zhao, Johns Hopkins Care at Home; Brian Sherman, RN, Johns Hopkins Care at Home; Ashley McCracken, PharmD, MBA, Johns Hopkins Care at Home; Stephanie Watkins, RN, Johns Hopkins Care at Home; Kristopher Rusinko, PharmD, PhD, MBA, MEd, MS, Johns Hopkins Care at Home
A productivity metric that infusion sites measure to gauge operations is chair capacity, which is a direct reflection of physical chair utilization based on the inputs of total time patients occupy chairs and total time the chair is available (i.e., hours of operation multiplied by chair count). Although a convenient metric, it does not capture all relevant information, and there is a need to identify standard metrics that account for infusion nurse workload. Minimal literature currently exists that describes specific methods for obtaining more accurate clinician-focused capacity metrics that could better track productivity and staffing needs for successful operations. The purpose of this project is to identify metrics that will account for clinician-focused capacity and use them to create an operational tool that ambulatory infusion suites (AISs) can utilize to relay productivity and business standards.
Nicholas Panchak, PharmD, University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview Health Services; Ryan McFarland, PharmD, University of Minnesota-Duluth College of Pharmacy; Jessica Das, PharmD, BCPS, Fairview Health Services; Alicia Zagel, PhD, MPH, Fairview Health Services; Jennifer Ross, PharmD, BCIDP, University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview Health Services
Beta-lactam-induced neutropenia (BLIN) is a serious adverse reaction associated with extended treatment courses. For many severe infections, guideline-directed medical therapy frequently involves weeks or months of IV antibiotics. To avoid health care costs associated with hospitalization and as a method to improve hospital bed capacity, clinicians are encouraged to discharge patients to receive IV antibiotics in the ambulatory setting once clinically stable. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of cefazolin-induced neutropenia between intravenous push (IVP) administration and intermittent infusions among home infusion patients. This study is unique in its analysis of neutropenia monitoring and interventions in a pharmacist-led outpatient parenteral anti-infective therapy (OPAT) model. Cefazolin was examined over other beta-lactams due to high utilization in home infusion and administration methods by IVP and intermittent infusion at this institution.
In a November 15 House Energy and Commerce Committee markup, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) expressed frustration that the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 4104) was not among the 21 health care bills being considered as part of the session.
The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) is pleased to hold its second annual one-day Payor Summit. The event, designed to bring together representatives from commercial health insurance plans with home and specialty infusion leaders, will take place August 23, 2023 in Dallas, TX.
NHIA recently submitted comments to 2 Congressional committees seeking more information on health care-related issues, sharing its recommendations to modernize and personalize the health care system, support innovation, and increase patient access to quality and affordable care.
NHIA has released a draft practice standard that describes situations that may require the use of electronic mechanical pumps to minimize adverse reactions and promote adherence to infusion therapies administered in the home.
The National Home Infusion Foundation’s (NHIF) Status at Discharge Benchmarking initiative is based on the need for research that evaluates the safety of home infusion services and aims to understand why patients discontinue their home infusion service.
On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a legislative hearing, “Examining Policies to Improve Seniors’ Access to Innovative Drugs, Medical Devices, and Technology.” Home infusion was discussed at least 3 distinct times throughout the hearing, with a consensus that Medicare needs to improve beneficiary access to home infusion services.
NHIA submitted comments on a CMS PFS proposed rule (CMS-1784-P) that would affect Medicare classification and coverage of self-administered drugs, certain biologics and coding and billing requirements related to the use of single dose containers and drug waste.
NHIA responded to an FDA request for comment on “Increasing Patient Access to At-Home Use Medical Technologies,” applauding the agency for recognizing the importance of facilitating access to care in the home.
NHIA submitted comments to CMS on the proposed 2024 home health payment rule. CMS did not mention the HIT services benefit in its 2024 rulemaking, however, NHIA believes it is important to continue advocating on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries to improve access to home infusion services.
The Foundation has adopted the Poster Session at the NHIA Annual Conference as part of its efforts to advance NHIF’s mission of promoting investigator-initiated research related to home and alternate infusion. NHIF awards a $1000 scholarship to a poster that exemplifies an innovative approach to addressing current challenges in home infusion and has the possibility of further development.
Kassie Klasen, PharmD Fairview Pharmacy Services; Alicia Zagel, PhD, MPH Fairview Pharmacy Services; Mary Nelson, PharmD Fairview Pharmacy Services; Eric Betzold, MS Fairview Pharmacy Services; Brett Benfield, PharmD, MS, FNHIA Fairview Pharmacy Services
Health disparities have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic
Imagine your Gl tract suddenly stopped functioning. That happened to Amanda, who lives with gastroparesis. Diagnosing the problem and landing on an effective treatment is a journey Amanda says she “wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.”
Independence is highly valued among patients with chronic medical conditions, and home infusion therapy plays a significant role in supporting that independence. Unfortunately, changes in coverage policies and unpredictable fluctuations in out-of-pocket costs can introduce barriers and create uncertainty, turning many patients into advocates.
Serious infections can sideline the best of plans. That’s what happened to Jusup, a Montana-based YouTuber with the ambitious goal of running a 100-mile race through the Salmon River mountains of Idaho. “I had never even raced in a 5K,” he recalls, “but, I was progressing in my goal of running at least 2 miles every day for a year and thought it would be a good test.”
Danell Haines, PhD, Research Consultant
Home infusion is a site of care (SOC) option for patients requiring intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) medications for treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions.
Jennifer Zhao, Johns Hopkins Care at Home; Brian Sherman, RN, Johns Hopkins Care at Home; Ashley McCracken, PharmD, MBA, Johns Hopkins Care at Home; Stephanie Watkins, RN, Johns Hopkins Care at Home; Kristopher Rusinko, PharmD, PhD, MBA, MEd, MS, Johns Hopkins Care at Home
A productivity metric that infusion sites measure to gauge operations is chair capacity, which is a direct reflection of physical chair utilization based on the inputs of total time patients occupy chairs and total time the chair is available (i.e., hours of operation multiplied by chair count). Although a convenient metric, it does not capture all relevant information, and there is a need to identify standard metrics that account for infusion nurse workload. Minimal literature currently exists that describes specific methods for obtaining more accurate clinician-focused capacity metrics that could better track productivity and staffing needs for successful operations. The purpose of this project is to identify metrics that will account for clinician-focused capacity and use them to create an operational tool that ambulatory infusion suites (AISs) can utilize to relay productivity and business standards.
Nicholas Panchak, PharmD, University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview Health Services; Ryan McFarland, PharmD, University of Minnesota-Duluth College of Pharmacy; Jessica Das, PharmD, BCPS, Fairview Health Services; Alicia Zagel, PhD, MPH, Fairview Health Services; Jennifer Ross, PharmD, BCIDP, University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview Health Services
Beta-lactam-induced neutropenia (BLIN) is a serious adverse reaction associated with extended treatment courses. For many severe infections, guideline-directed medical therapy frequently involves weeks or months of IV antibiotics. To avoid health care costs associated with hospitalization and as a method to improve hospital bed capacity, clinicians are encouraged to discharge patients to receive IV antibiotics in the ambulatory setting once clinically stable. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of cefazolin-induced neutropenia between intravenous push (IVP) administration and intermittent infusions among home infusion patients. This study is unique in its analysis of neutropenia monitoring and interventions in a pharmacist-led outpatient parenteral anti-infective therapy (OPAT) model. Cefazolin was examined over other beta-lactams due to high utilization in home infusion and administration methods by IVP and intermittent infusion at this institution.
In a November 15 House Energy and Commerce Committee markup, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) expressed frustration that the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 4104) was not among the 21 health care bills being considered as part of the session.
The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) is pleased to hold its second annual one-day Payor Summit. The event, designed to bring together representatives from commercial health insurance plans with home and specialty infusion leaders, will take place August 23, 2023 in Dallas, TX.
NHIA recently submitted comments to 2 Congressional committees seeking more information on health care-related issues, sharing its recommendations to modernize and personalize the health care system, support innovation, and increase patient access to quality and affordable care.
NHIA has released a draft practice standard that describes situations that may require the use of electronic mechanical pumps to minimize adverse reactions and promote adherence to infusion therapies administered in the home.
The National Home Infusion Foundation’s (NHIF) Status at Discharge Benchmarking initiative is based on the need for research that evaluates the safety of home infusion services and aims to understand why patients discontinue their home infusion service.
On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a legislative hearing, “Examining Policies to Improve Seniors’ Access to Innovative Drugs, Medical Devices, and Technology.” Home infusion was discussed at least 3 distinct times throughout the hearing, with a consensus that Medicare needs to improve beneficiary access to home infusion services.
NHIA submitted comments on a CMS PFS proposed rule (CMS-1784-P) that would affect Medicare classification and coverage of self-administered drugs, certain biologics and coding and billing requirements related to the use of single dose containers and drug waste.
NHIA responded to an FDA request for comment on “Increasing Patient Access to At-Home Use Medical Technologies,” applauding the agency for recognizing the importance of facilitating access to care in the home.
NHIA submitted comments to CMS on the proposed 2024 home health payment rule. CMS did not mention the HIT services benefit in its 2024 rulemaking, however, NHIA believes it is important to continue advocating on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries to improve access to home infusion services.
The Foundation has adopted the Poster Session at the NHIA Annual Conference as part of its efforts to advance NHIF’s mission of promoting investigator-initiated research related to home and alternate infusion. NHIF awards a $1000 scholarship to a poster that exemplifies an innovative approach to addressing current challenges in home infusion and has the possibility of further development.
Kassie Klasen, PharmD Fairview Pharmacy Services; Alicia Zagel, PhD, MPH Fairview Pharmacy Services; Mary Nelson, PharmD Fairview Pharmacy Services; Eric Betzold, MS Fairview Pharmacy Services; Brett Benfield, PharmD, MS, FNHIA Fairview Pharmacy Services
Health disparities have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic
