What is Infusion Therapy?
Infusion therapy involves the administration of medications through a needle or catheter. It is prescribed when a patient’s condition cannot be treated effectively by oral medications. Typically “infusion therapy” means that a medication is administered intravenously (IV), but the term may also refer to situations where medications are provided through other non-oral routes, such as intramuscular injections and epidural routes (into the membranes surrounding the spinal cord).
Infusion therapy is also provided to patients for treating a wide assortment of often chronic, and sometimes rare, diseases for which “specialty” infusion medications are effective. While some have been available for many years, others are newer medications and biologics.
What is an Infusion Nurse?
Infusion nurses have special education, training, and expertise in home or other alternative-site administration of specialty medications via a peripheral IV, PICC Line, Midline, and or an implanted port. The infusion nurse will educate the patient on the IV method & therapy prescribed to them by their provider.