Friday, September 21, 2012

The Truth About Infusion Therapy Long Island Residents Should Know

By Rebekah Alford


Infusion therapy is a medical treatment where therapeutic agents are delivered directly in the bloodstream. It uses the intravenous route and is effected by a needle or a catheter. It is prescribed where oral means will not apply. The underlying reasons range from swallowing disorders or diseases resistant to oral medication. But before considering infusion therapy Long Island residents should first familiarize themselves with the facts associated with it.

It owes its existence to the two world wars. It has been in use for less than a century now. The original attempts to deliver a functional therapy were curtailed by lack of proper scientific methods. In the last 25 years major developments in drugs, equipment and procedures have occurred. Intravenous administration was known to be possible before this.

It can be used to deliver medications like antibiotics, antivirals, and cancer drugs. It also plays a role in pain management where patients receive pain relief via an infusion pump. After most surgeries convalescents have it to hydrate them. For patients who are not in the position to eat or are unwilling, it delivers their nutrition.

Diseases and conditions that employ the its use include cancer, dehydration, gastrointestinal disorders congestive heart failure, hemophilia and many more. It will continue to be used until the patient no longer needs the treatment. Before the 1980s therapy was conducted when the patient was still hospitalized and was discharged after the period scheduled had elapsed.

This proved to be expensive and rather inflexible. For those who required long-term therapy, it cost them a fortune and they could not go about their normal lifestyle and work activities. To counter the limitations, developments in clinical administration of it led to alternative settings of administration. Home therapy and outpatient infusion suite setting thus emerged.

The pharmacies must adhere to the licensing and regulatory requirements imposed by the state in order to lawfully administer it. The patient approaches the pharmacy after obtaining a prescription from their physician. The pharmacy then proceeds to provide a goo nurse who is specially trained and has the requisite skills.

Planning the therapy is done by the doctor to help the nurse in administration of the due process. The nurse is obliged to uphold the standards of it and be at the service of the patient when required. The patient may take it upon themselves to acquaint with the nurse allocated. This rids them of being uncomfortable and clears ambiguity beforehand.

It is faster and more precise than oral therapy since it occurs directly in the bloodstream. Oral therapy has to pass through the liver first before proceeding to the where it is degraded. It also ensures that the entire dosage is absorbed as per the prescription. This method is more effective in chronic diseases unlike oral medication.

It also exposes the patient to risks like vein inflammation and infiltration of intravenous fluid into the surrounding tissues. If due care is not exercised fluid may be administered at a faster rate or in excessive volume thus causing an overload. In other words, it is generally a fragile process. A small mishap could cause greater consequences. Therefore when considering having the infusion therapy Long Island residents should take it seriously.




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