As part of ongoing quality improvement activities, the National Home Infusion Foundation (NHIF) has released a draft standard definition for measuring home infusion medication adherence. With a lack of available data related to events that occur in the home setting, a standardized definition and increased data collection can aid in developing improved technologies in home infusion operations and patient outcomes. Providers are encouraged to adopt the NHIF definitions to become eligible for participation in current and future industry-wide NHIF quality data initiatives.  

Home infusion medication adherence is vital to achieving therapeutic goals, improving patient outcomes in chronic disease management, and reducing mortality from chronic conditions. The proposed draft of the standard definition for home infusion medication adherence incorporates 2 primary focus points: 

1. The extent to which a person’s behavior corresponds with taking a medication optimally, and  
2. Conforming to a provider’s recommendation/prescription based on timing, dosage, and frequency of medication administration.   

Based on the 2 focus points, home infusion medication adherence can be measured and assessed through direct observation or indirect reporting. Direct observation adherence measurements would be applied when a health care provider is present for and/or administers medication, or through serum level and laboratory evaluation, or the technology used incorporates administration measurement (e.g., electronic infusion pumps capable of verifying administration). Medication adherence would be indirectly reported through patient self-reporting during routine patient encounters with a pharmacist, nurse, or other patient care team member.  

The proposed draft definition contains examples and additional explanations for adherence. Reasons for nonadherence are also provided with the definition. NHIF requests public stakeholders to review and provide feedback. 

View the Draft Standard Definition

Please send comments to nhifdata@nhia.org. The comment period will close October 18, 2024.