When you find yourself in a medical situation, sometimes the doctor will choose not to use topical treatments or pills. Another method of delivering medications is known as infusion therapy. It is an important tool in the medical treatment arsenal.
What Is Infusion Therapy?
Infusion therapy is the administration of medications or other fluids using IVs, injections, or catheters. It is a treatment protocol used for patients who have conditions that prevent them from taking oral medications or patients that have conditions of the gastrointestinal tract that do not allow the processing of medications. It may also be used when medicines need to get into the bloodstream quickly.
What Are The Different Types Of Infusion Therapy Available?
Infusion therapy can be used to administer a great number of different medications and fluids if you need them.
Some of the most common ways this treatment is used include:
- Anti-viral or antibiotic
- Anti-emetics
- Coagulation medications
- Hydration
- Nutrition
- Pain management
- Inotropic medicatons
- Chemotherapy
Once the catheter or IV has been placed, medical care providers can then give any medications or combination of medications that are needed quickly and easily.
Who Gets Infusion Therapy Treatments?
In general, infusion therapy refers to a method of administering medication,therefore it could be given to any patient. However, there are some conditions that are chronic or severe enough to require it longer term.
Some conditions or diseases treated with infusion therapy include:
- Severe infections that oral antibiotics are not curing
- Cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- Various gastrointestinal diseases/disorders
- Diseases which cause immune deficiency
- Crohn’s disease
- Hemophilia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Infusion Therapy At Home
Quite a few of the conditions that are treated with infusion therapy are congenital,long-term, or chronic. It can become burdensome financially in some cases for both medical facilities and patients if they need to receive inpatient infusions on a frequent basis. Medical and patient necessity drove technological innovation enough to allow patients and their caregivers to give/receive infusion therapy at home instead.
Whether you receive your infusion therapy at home or inpatient, it’s a very effective method of treatment. It can help cure things other treatment options can’t. Infusion therapy has the ability to prolong lives, save lives, and enhance quality of life for patients.
