Receiving a prescription for infusion therapy can be confusing. And, when you’re already dealing with an underlying medical condition, the last thing you need is something else to worry about. What is it like? Will it hurt? How long will each session take? All of these questions are understandable. Answers are important for your peace of mind — as well as to provide some sense of comfort to your loved ones. So, what, exactly, is infusion therapy? And, what can you expect from it?
What is infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy — also known as IV therapy — involves administering medications intravenously. This is done by injecting a needle directly into the patient’s arm. It allows for much more efficient treatment of chronic illnesses since it delivers medicine, antibiotics, and/or hydration directly into the bloodstream. As a result, there’s a higher absorption rate and you can obtain relief faster.
IV therapy is used to treat a long list of chronic conditions, including but not limited to:
Why undergo infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy is ideal for patients who — due to their chronic condition — it becomes difficult, uncomfortable, or impossible to take medication orally. It provides faster hydration for individuals who recently came out of surgery and have lost a significant amount of fluids. Infusion therapy is also a good option for people who have been unresponsive to oral medications.
Are there any side effects?
While rare, side effects would depend on the medication being administered. Some of them may include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Muscle Stiffness
- Itchiness at the injection site
- Headaches
Prior to starting your infusion therapy, one of our healthcare professionals will review your prescribed medication and discuss all possible side effects with you.
Other risks include infection at the injection site where the IV needle is inserted. The needle could also become dislodged, causing the solution to enter the surrounding tissues. To lower these risks, each infusion is monitored by either a physician or a registered nurse.
What to Expect
The infusion is administered by injecting a needle attached to a small tube directly into one of the patient’s veins. This tube is connected to an IV bag containing the prescribed medication. Once attached to your vein, the solution slowly drips into your bloodstream.
The duration of each session depends on the medication being administered and your specific needs. Regardless of how long it takes, at Infusion Associates, our staff is fully committed to making sure the experience is as comfortable as possible. You can bring your laptop, a book or magazine, and receive your infusions in a reclining chair. We provide blankets and free Wi-Fi, and you can listen to music or watch a movie. You can also have the peace of mind that comes from having either a doctor or nurse practitioner monitoring the infusion.
Another benefit is that our infusion centers are more welcoming and cozier than a hospital environment. In addition, costs are much lower at an outpatient facility than at a hospital. And, you don’t have to worry about scheduling, since we are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Can you go to the bathroom during an infusion treatment?
Yes. If you need to use the restroom once treatment has started, let the physician or registered nurse know. Your infusion will be stopped for several minutes to allow you to take a bathroom break. Depending on the medication, you may need assistance to stay steady on your feet. If you suffer from incontinence, you may want to wear disposable underwear to prevent accidents.
Can you bring a loved one?
Not at this time due to COVID-19. [Usually, yes. You are more than welcome to bring in a family member or a friend for company or support. This is part of our unwavering commitment to make you feel as comfortable as possible. We also require that all minors be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.]
Can you eat or drink during infusion treatment?
Yes. You can bring your own snacks or drinks. We also provide hot beverages — such as coffee, tea, or hot cocoa — to make you feel at home.
Are there private rooms available?
Yes. When scheduling an appointment with us, let our team members know that you would prefer to receive treatment in a private room.
How to Prepare for Infusion Therapy
At Infusion Associates, first and foremost, we want you to feel at ease. To ensure your treatment goes smoothly:
1. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Some infusions require a patient to hydrate prior to treatment. Others may require a particular diet or taking medication prior to the infusion. Before referring you to our clinics, your doctor will let you know what you need to do to best prepare for your infusion therapy.
2. Write down all of your concerns.
Prior to commencing therapy, make a list of all your questions. We’ll be happy to discuss them with you. We’ll explain the entire process, the risk of side effects — and what those side effects are — as well as any additional matter that may be making you anxious.
3. Make a list of medications you’re taking.
Regardless of whether you’re taking prescription medications or over-the-counter painkillers, let our team members know. This is essential to ensure that you don’t experience an adverse reaction from mixing items that don’t work well together.
4. Wear comfortable clothes.
This serves a dual purpose. First, it’s practical — one of our healthcare professionals will take your vital signs — and wearing loose-fitting clothes will make this process easier. Second, while we’ll make sure you’re in a comfortable environment, what you wear can help make you feel more relaxed.
5. Clear your schedule.
You’ll want to have time to rest after each infusion treatment. Your body may either need the time to fully recover, or you may need time off if you experience side effects. Do not stress yourself out thinking that you have to rush to get to work or run other errands.
Accepted Insurance Plans
We accept all major forms of insurance, as well as participating PPO, HMO, POS, and managed care plans. View our Accepted Insurances page to learn more.
If Your Doctor Has Recommended IV Therapy, Let Infusion Associates Help You
At Infusion Associates, we provide medically-prescribed infusion therapy for patients with chronic conditions in a welcoming and friendly environment. Our team of healthcare professionals is fully committed to making the experience as comfortable as possible for you or your patients. We always inform patients of any potential side effects and answer all their questions before starting treatment. In addition, we have a Registered Pharmacist available to make the process as seamless as possible.
If you would like to refer a patient to us or want to inquire about the treatments we offer, you can contact us by calling us at (833) 394-0600 or filling out this form.
Difference between Infusion Therapy and Intravenous therapy
The terms infusion therapy and intravenous (IV) therapy are often interchanged by clinicians and consumers. However, there are disparity between infusion therapy and IV therapy.
In medicine, infusion therapy involves infusing fluids or medications into any part of the body through an infusion device such as a needle or catheter. Infusion therapy routes include epidural infusion (into the membranes surrounding the spinal cord), arterial infusion (into an artery) Intraosseous infusion (into the bone marrow), subcutaneous infusion / hypodermoclysis (under the skin), intraperitoneal infusion therapy (into the peritoneal cavity) Intrathecal (into the intrathecal space) and intravenous route (into the vein).
Intravenous infusion therapy consists of administration of fluids and medications through a peripherally or centrally located venous access device (VAD). Insertion of vascular access devices is an invasive procedure which requires specialized training and skills. Infusion therapy related complications could be debilitating and life threatening. Clinicians involved in any type of infusion therapy also requires knowledge and skills to use and maintain the device, prevent, recognize and manage complications.
Infusion therapy is when you receive medication through a needle or catheter. Some drugs can’t be taken orally because they lose their effectiveness when exposed to your digestive system. Infusion therapy is used when there’s no comparable oral therapy or when you can’t take oral medication.
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Infusion therapy is when medication or fluids are administered through a needle or catheter. It’s a way of delivering medication that can’t be taken orally, or that need to be dispensed at a controlled pace.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what infusion therapy is, how it works, and the types of conditions it can treat.
What can you expect?
IV infusion therapy typically takes place in a clinical setting, such as a doctor’s office, hospital, outpatient facility, or infusion center. Some types of infusion therapy can be given by healthcare providers in the home.
Each IV session means new needle sticks. So, if you’re expected to need multiple IV therapy sessions, your doctor may recommend alternatives to a standard IV line. Central lines can be inserted into your chest, arm, neck, or groin and remain for an extended time.
Another alternative is to have a port surgically implanted under your skin. In future treatments, the needle can be inserted into the port to access the vein without sticking you. The port will be surgically removed after you’ve completed all your treatments.
Whatever the setting, IV therapy is administered by nurses or other trained medical professionals. The procedure requires careful monitoring, so if the process is going to take more than a few minutes, there is usually some sort of control mechanism attached to the line to ensure proper delivery. Frequent or remote monitoring always accompanies infusion therapy.
Depending on the medication, it may be pre-prepared or prepared just prior to use.
If the infusion is expected to take several hours in an outpatient setting, you’ll typically be offered a reclining chair. You can bring reading materials, blankets, or other items to help you feel comfortable.
Before beginning, your nurse will perform a series of checks to verify:
- your identity
- the right medication and the right dose
- the right time, as some medications are given at a specific time of day or for a specific length of time
- the right route, such as vein, injection, or port
A needle will be inserted into the port or a suitable vein, usually in the arm. A tube will connect it to an IV bag holding the medication. The bag will be hung so that the solution drips into your bloodstream. Depending on your particular treatment, you may need multiple IV bags.
The length of each treatment depends on the medication and your specific condition. It could take 30 minutes or several hours.
You’ll typically receive plenty of fluids, so don’t be surprised if you need to use the bathroom. You’ll be able to bring the IV pole with you, but be sure to tell those monitoring you first.
Once the medication dispenses, the catheter will be removed.
Are there any risks involved with infusion therapy?
Insertion of an IV needle often goes smoothly, but it can be challenging, especially if you have small veins.
If you need to have many infusions, it can cause scar tissue to form over time, which may cause damage to your veins. Risks of IV therapy can include:
- collapsed veins
- infection
- phlebitis
- air embolism
Sometimes, a needle can become dislodged, allowing the medication to get into surrounding tissues. With some medications, this can be harmful.
Other risks depend on the type of medications you’re receiving. Any new medication can cause your body to react strongly. If you’re going to have a reaction, it typically happens the first time you get a particular treatment.
Your doctor will explain the potential risks of your therapy and signs to watch for. The signs of infusion reaction typically include:
- cough
- facial flushing
- fever, chills
- headache
- itching
- muscle or joint pain and stiffness
- nausea
- rash or hives
- shortness of breath
- swelling of hands, legs, ankles, or feet
- swelling of the tongue, lips, or eyelids
Before starting infusion therapy, let your doctor know about all the medications you’re taking as well as dietary and herbal supplements, as these can interact.
The bottom line
Infusion therapy is the administration of medication or fluids in a controlled method. It’s done most often intravenously or subcutaneously.
Since the timing can be controlled, it’s used to deliver chemotherapy drugs and other medications that need to enter your system slowly. It can also be used to deliver drugs into your bloodstream quickly in the case of a life threatening emergency.
Infusion therapy is used to dispense many treatments for a wide variety of conditions. It’s typically administered by nurses or other trained healthcare providers, usually in a clinical setting.
Speak with your healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks of infusion therapy, and what you can do to make it as safe and effective as possible.
