What Is Infusion Therapy?
When “infusion therapy” comes up in conversation, the first thing most of us think of is the hospital setting where life-saving hydration fluids or antibiotics are administered via IV to patients. While these are some of the most common medications used in infusion therapy, infusions are frequently used in the treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases.
Infusion therapy refers to the administration of medications through a needle or a catheter. Although drugs are typically administered intravenously, infusion therapy includes the administration of medication by way of intramuscular injections or epidural routes.
Physicians prescribe infusion therapies when:
- The patient’s condition is so severe that it requires the medication to be administered directly into the patient’s bloodstream
- Patients are unable to swallow oral medications
- The patient’s treatment involves a type of drug known as a biologic response modifier or biologic for short.
Diseases or Conditions It Can Treat
The most common ailments treated with infusion therapies are:
- Infections that did not respond well to oral antibiotics
- Dehydration
- Cancer and cancer-related pain
Other conditions treated with the use of specialty infusion medications or biologics:
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Immune deficiencies
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Gout
What is Specialty Infusion Therapy?
The term refers to the administration of specialty medications, which usually involve biologics.
Biologics are medications introduced in the 1990s that can be more effective, with fewer associated risks, than traditional disease-modifying drugs.
Compared to traditional medications, biologics can be more complex to administer, can require specialized equipment and supplies, and should be administered directly by a specialty physician or qualified clinical staff under the supervision of a specialty physician.
For these reasons, while patients typically go to a hospital for these treatment, it is possible to deliver them in a specialty practice.
What are Biologic Management Solutions?
The complexity of administering biologics, coupled with the desire of specialty physicians to provide their patient’s treatments in a more comfortable, familiar, and affordable setting, has presented a need for biologic management companies like Altus Infusion, which offer highly specialized services at a quality level of care.
With Altus Infusion, specialty practices can offer biologic therapies, whether by way of infusions or injections, in their office, providing patients with the convenience of receiving treatments in a familiar and convenient location.
Here are some of Altus Infusion’s in-office biologic therapy services:
- Conduct patient benefits investigation.
- Assist providers with the storage, preparation, and administration of biologics.
- Conduct ongoing employee education and competency validation activities.
- Provide and maintain specialized equipment (infusion pumps and poles) and many administration supplies (such as IV sets, syringes, and more) required for biologic therapy.
Does Insurance Cover Biologic Therapy?
Yes, most insurance companies provide coverage for biologic therapies. Part of our service includes a comprehensive patient benefits assessment prior to treatment. Altus Infusion will ensure your patients receive all the benefits offered by their insurance plan. If patient affordability is a concern, our team can help connect them with relevant assistance programs to determine eligibility.
If you would like to learn more about Altus Infusion and how we can assist your practice, please contact us at sales@altusbiologics.com or call us at 855.692.5887.
