Home Infusion

Home Infusion Therapy

What Is Home Infusion Therapy?

Home infusion therapy is a convenient alternative to extended inpatient stays.
nurse with patient
Home infusion therapy is a safe way to take medicines or fluids, which cannot be taken by mouth.

If recommended by your doctor, home infusion therapy allows you to administer your therapy or medication right in your home. Many patients experience lower treatment costs, better health outcomes, higher safety measures, and greater accommodation. The home infusion process gives many patients a sense of normalcy, as you do not have to leave the home to receive your therapy. This allows you to maintain your quality of life at home instead of unnecessary hospital stays.

Patient Testimonial - Marie Holland
OUR SERVICES:
Catheter maintenance Nutritional therapies
Chemotherapy Antibiotics
Hydration Antivirals/Antifungals
Immune globulin therapy Anti-Emetics
Inotropic therapies
Ready to Take the Next Step?

Get Started with Knox Community Hospital Home Infusion. Our home infusion specialists are available to you and your caregiver now; please call 740.326.4400.

Home Infusion Q & A
Q. If I am hospitalized, should I take my medications and supplies to the hospital?

A. No. The hospital will supply the medication and supplies needed during your admission.

Q. How long should I remove my medication from the refrigerator before I use it?

A. Normally 2-3 hours is enough time for it to warm to room temperature.

Q. What are the possible side effects of my medication?

A.  Please contact your pharmacist for further explanation or to report any side effects.

Q. Where should I keep my medication if it needs to be stored at room temperature?

A. Medication should be stored at a controlled room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight, areas exposed to excessive moisture (bathroom) and excessive heat/cold (over or around heating or air conditioning vents). It is also important to store medications out of reach of children and pets.

Q. If my medication label shows today as the expiration date can I still use it?

A. The medication can still be used on the expiration date. Do not use the medication if the infusion will be completed the following day.

Q. What do I do if I have a problem administering my medication?

A. If you have any problems or questions regarding the administration of your therapy you should contact your home care nurse who will assist you as needed. Our home infusion team is also available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to assist you with any questions you may have regarding the administration of your therapy.

Q. There is blood backing-up in my tubing. What should I do?

A. If there is not medication infusing through your line, flush your line as previously instructed and close the clamp. If your catheter does not flush easily, do not flush forcefully. Contact your nurse who will visit to evaluate your line.

Q. My dressing is coming off. What should I do?

A. If you have been trained to change your dressing always change it when it becomes loose or wet. If you have not received training to change your dressing, tape the edges of your dressing to your skin and avoid placing tension on your line. Call your nursing agency; a visit will be required to change the dressing.

Q. Can I shower with my IV?

A. Yes. Cover your dressing with plastic wrap, secured all outside edges with tape. Do not allow the water stream to spray directly on your IV site. After bathing, remove the plastic wrap immediately and pat dry any moisture that has accumulated under the plastic wrap.

Q. I forgot to take my medicine out of the refrigerator. Can I warm it up in the microwave?

A. No. It is not safe to warm medication using any heat source. Medication should be warmed at room temperature only. You can hold the medication bag/syringe in your hands, allowing body heat to slowly warm the solution, or wait until the medication reaches room temperature.

Q. My infusion is not running. What should I do?

A. Check your IV line and medication tubing to ensure all clamps are open and there are no kinks in the line or tubing. Change your position. Stop the pump and disconnect the tubing from your IV line. Attempt to flush your IV catheter with saline. Do not force-flush if you meet resistance. Call your nurse if you are having any trouble. If the line flushes without resistance, test-start the pump before reconnecting to your IV line to determine if the IV tubing is the problem. If the occlusion alarm continues, when the IV is not attached to your line, the IV tubing may need to be changed. Please contact your nurse for assistance with troubleshooting.

Q. My IV site is red and swollen. Can I still hook-up my next dose?

A. No. Call your nurse to report any signs of redness or swelling. The nurse will arrange a visit to evaluate your IV before you administer another infusion.

Need some additional assistance?

Reach out to our Department of Home Health.