Infusion Therapies

Anti-Infective Therapy

Anti-Infective therapy is the use of antibiotics with an I.V. or central line. This type of therapy is necessary when the use of typical PO (oral) medications are not effective in combating an infection. The ability to give these medications outside the normal hospital setting, enables patients to comfortably receive treatment at home – usually recovering faster than in the hospital.

Anti-Viral Therapy

Anti-viral therapies are used to combat viral infections. Viruses are not susceptible to antibiotic therapy, although antibiotics are sometimes given to prevent complications. Viral diseases range from influenza to hepatitis to H.I.V. Many patients require long-term therapy, sometimes for the remainder of their life. The use of Home I.V. or infusion makes it possible for patients to carry on with normal daily activity and still have good continuous therapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs or medicines to treat disease. Today, the word “chemotherapy” is used most often to describe cancer treatment. The purpose of chemotherapy is to kill or stop cancer cells from growing. Chemotherapy can be one drug or a combination of drugs working together.

Hydration Therapy

Hydration therapy is given intravenously (I.V.) when someone is losing necessary fluids at a rate faster than they are retaining fluids. By giving the hydration therapy with an I.V., the patient receives the necessary fluids faster than by drinking them. Also, dehydration can be heightened by hyperemesis (vomiting), therefore the IV method eliminates the need to take fluids orally.

Immune Deficiency – IVIG Therapy

At Owens Infusion, our patients receive personalized safe, effective and convenient intravenous and subcutaneous immune globulin (Ig) therapy to help improve quality of life. Upon admission to our service, therapy will be monitored by experienced clinicians (pharmacists and nurses) that will coordinate care with patients, caregivers, home health nurses and prescribers to ensure a successful and satisfying experience.

VIG Therapy is mainly indicated for:

• CIDP-Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuritis
• Combined Variable Immunodeficiency
• CLL – Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia
• HIES – Hyperimmuno-globulinemia E Syndrome
• Multiple Sclerosis

Pain Management

Pain management therapy is given to patients who are suffering pain from surgery, cancer or chronic pain. Pain medications are given in both narcotic and non-narcotic formulations. The primary reason for pain management is to allow the patient to be somewhat pain free so they are able to complete daily activities.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a way of giving nutrition to your body directly into the blood stream through a catheter. Normally, the food you eat passes nutrients into your body through absorption in the digestive tract. Some diseases and conditions prevent the absorption of nutrients the usual way, this is when TPN therapy can be very helpful.

Other Parenteral Therapies

There are many other parenteral therapies. These are therapies that are given through an I.V. or a central line. These therapies are specific to certain diagnoses which require particular drugs ranging from gamma globulin to prednisone.

Pediatric Therapies

There is a wide range of pediatric therapies that are given by injection, I.V. or central line. The ability to deliver these therapies outside the normal hospital setting enables parents to take their child home for treatment. This is a positive situation for both parents and child.

Inotropic Therapies

Inotropic therapies are for heart conditions and are given to influence the force of muscular contractility of the heart. Inotropic therapies are given through an I.V. or continuously given through a central line using an ambulatory infusion pump. Typically, these patients suffer from congestive heart failure. Medications used are dobutamine and milranone.