What is Infusion Therapy?

Service Information

Do you currently have to travel out of town to receive specialized infusions, injections or other minor procedures? OMHC has these services available here in your hometown! Many times, out of town physicians do not know that this is something that can be done here in Odessa. Here are some examples of what we can do but not limited to:

  • Remicade Infusions
  • IVIG Infusions
  • IV Antibiotic Infusions
  • Medication Injections
  • Port Flushes
  • Wound Management

If you would like to find out more about how we can accommodate your needs, please contact:
Megan Shepard or Caitlin Higley at (509) 982-2611

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What is Infusion Therapy?

Looking for the perfect cure to treat your symptoms if you have a chronic illness can feel like throwing darts at a corkboard. There are so many different paths you could go down to find relief, but some are expensive while some could have potentially fatal side effects. Sometimes, it may feel like you just can’t seem to find the perfect solution. Imagine this—just as you’re getting ready to accept that your new existence will involve dealing with pain and other symptoms, your doctor proposes infusion therapy.

It can be confusing to get a prescription for infusion therapy. And having additional worries is the last thing you need when you already have to deal with a medical condition, right? How does it feel? Is it painful? How many sessions will there be? These are all reasonable doubts. Answers are crucial for your mental stability and for giving your loved ones a certain sense of solace. What precisely is infusion therapy, then?

What is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy, sometimes referred to as IV therapy, involves the injection of the medication intravenously. A needle is injected straight into the patient’s arm to do this. Since it infuses medication, antibiotics, and hydration directly into the bloodstream, it enables far more effective treatment of chronic conditions. As a result, there is a higher rate of absorption, and you can be relieved quicker.

Certain medications may not be recommended orally since a person’s stomach acids may damage a medication’s quality and render it inefficient for treating disorders. There are numerous other reasons as to why someone would choose to take medicine through their body instead of taking them orally.

During infusion therapy, a qualified healthcare provider inserts a sterile catheter or needle and secures them in the patient’s vein. If you’ve ever spent time in a hospital, you most likely had an IV to keep you hydrated and to quickly supply other medications, if necessary. That falls under infusion treatment. The same goes for an insulin pump that delivers insulin subcutaneously. Along with many different types of drugs, nourishment can also be delivered by infusion treatment.

Hospitals have employed this treatment method for a long time. Often, specially trained nurses who are licensed to administer this treatment are the ones involved in infusion therapy in outpatient healthcare facilities and community care facilities.

What Medical Conditions Does Infusion Therapy Treat?

From life-threatening to drastically altering illnesses, infusion treatment can be effective in the many cases. The following conditions are typically treated using infusion therapy:

How Does it Work?

You should consult with you provider to determine in it is appropriate for you to receive infusion therapy at OMHC. Many providers prefer that your first dose or two are given in their infusion center and then can transfer care to OMHC for infusion therapy. Once you and your provider have determined that you may receive infusion therapy at OMHC, we will need a copy of your history and physical along with the specific orders regarding your infusion therapy treatment.

When you arrive, you’ll be led to a room where the infusion will take place Before starting treatment, we have a qualified staff member let you know about any possible adverse effects. Once this is understood, a IV is put into their veins, and once the therapy begins, an infusion pump will trickle the solution through it. Depending on the medication being administered, the patient may start feeling better during the infusion, but this usually takes a few days to a few weeks.

Types of Infusions

Through an IV or catheter, you can get:

What are the Potential Side-Effects?

Although uncommon, negative effects could occur depending on the medication being taken. Some of them could be:

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Muscle stiffness
  • The injection area getting itchy
  • Headaches

Infection at the injection site, where the IV needle is put, is also a concern to watch out for. Another possibility is for the needle to break loose, allowing the solution to seep into the nearby tissues. Each infusion is watched after by either a doctor or a registered nurse to minimize these risks.

The kind of medication you’re taking will determine any additional complications. Your body may respond aggressively to any new medication. The first time you receive a certain treatment is usually when you experience a reaction if you do. Your doctor will go over the possible side effects of your treatment and warning indications beforehand. Typical indications of an infusion response include:

  • Coughing, flushed face
  • Chills and fever
  • Headache
  • Stiffness and aching muscle or joint pain
  • Nausea, hives, or a rash
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Swelling of the tongue, lips, or eyelids, edema of the hands, legs, ankles, or feet

Inform your physician of all prescription drugs you are taking, as well as any dietary or herbal supplements you may be taking, before beginning infusion therapy.

To Conclude

The two most popular methods of infusion therapy are intravenously and subcutaneously.

These methods are used to deliver chemotherapy treatments and other medications that need to enter your system gradually since time can be controlled. In a situation where your life is in danger, it can also be utilized to instantaneously transport medications into your bloodstream.

Many therapies for a wide range of illnesses are administered through infusion therapy. It is often delivered in a clinical setting by nurses or other qualified healthcare professionals. Infusion therapy lowers medical costs and significantly reduces the time spent in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your favorite activities. Consult your healthcare practitioner to learn more about the potential advantages and dangers of infusion therapy as well as what you can do to ensure its safety and efficacy.

All of these therapies and much more are offered at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center located in Odessa, Washington. Many times, doctors from other cities may ask you to go to a bigger city for some treatments as they are unaware that this may be done in Odessa. Our team of healthcare experts is fully committed to making the experience as comfortable as possible for you or your patients. Please get in touch with Megan Shepard or Caitlin Higley at (509) 982-2611 to learn more about how we might meet your needs.