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Press Release

National Home Infusion Foundation Launches Infusion Journal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeannie Counce
Editorial Director
jeannie.counce@nhia.org

Alexandria, Va. (April 11, 2022) — The National Home Infusion Foundation (NHIF) is proud to announce the publication of the first issue of Infusion Journal. The new scholarly journal features independent research and studies related to infused therapies, patient outcomes, medication safety, economic analyses, and case studies. The journal, which mails 3 times a year with the National Home Infusion Association’s flagship publication INFUSION magazine, is part of the association’s focus on the importance of research and evidence-based practice and is meant to encourage individual clinicians to conduct studies and submit the results for publication.

The inaugural issue of Infusion Journal features the findings of a first-of-its-kind time study of home infusion pharmacist professional services. Using time utilization data collected in a NHIF-sponsored multi-center study, researchers determined the amount of time the home infusion pharmacist spends managing and caring for the patient. They also determined the categories of professional services the pharmacist provides and the time and task differences between therapy types and methods of administration.

Findings indicate that about half of all pharmacist time is related to clinical care activities such as performing assessments, monitoring for adverse events and response to therapy, and communicating with patients and health care providers to coordinate care. The remaining portion of pharmacist time is spent on sterile drug preparation and compounding, which has become increasingly complex. Overall, pharmacists spend an average of 35.85 minutes per day caring for each patient with variations in workflow based on the highly customized nature of the clinical practice.

“Pharmacist professional services are paramount to the success of the home infusion process, but—until now—we haven’t had the data to accurately describe time spent on specific tasks related to patient care,” observes NHIA President and CEO Connie Sullivan, BSPharm. “The ability to quantify and document these services represents a significant step forward in our ability to advocate for appropriate reimbursement and gives provider organizations insight into their own processes.”

The first Infusion Journal also includes an analysis of claims data demonstrating the breadth and depth of home infusion’s reach into rural service areas, which informs readers about the types of patients the industry serves and how it might adapt to better fit into the health care delivery landscape. A third article offers clinicians solid information that can be used to shape best practices related to parenteral diphenhydramine use in home infusion patients.

“Research and data are the oxygen of a thriving industry and NHIF is proud to initiate a formal process for the dissemination of scientifically sound information that can serve as the foundation of evidence-based practice and industry advocacy,” says NHIF Board Chair David Franklin, MSA. “I encourage all NHIA members, and anyone involved in a practice that involves infusion therapy, to consider conducting research and sharing your findings.” Learn more about Infusion Journal and review information on manuscript submission.

NHIF would like to recognize Baxter Healthcare for their generous support of Infusion Journal in 2022.  

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NHIF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to advance the home and specialty infusion field and to support the enhancement of patient care and patient outcomes through leadership, research, and education. Established by the National Home Infusion Association, the Foundation is founded on the belief that delivering the highest quality infusion care to patients is at the heart of the field. Through education and research, the Foundation will strive to build upon the solid groundwork established by the industry more than 30 years ago.  

NHIA is a trade association that represents companies that provide infusion therapy to patients in their homes, as well as companies that manufacture and supply infusion and specialty pharmacy products. The association’s mission is to provide advocacy, education, and resources to the home and specialty infusion community so the patients they serve can lead healthy, independent lives. Infusion therapy involves patient-specific compounded medications, supplies, and a range of pharmacy, nursing, and other clinical services for delivering care to patients in the home setting. For more information, visit www.nhia.org


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