Safety Tips for an Upcoming Infusion Appointment 

Many arthritis patients require medications to be delivered into the vein directly through infusion.   Infusion is a medical technique, provided by licensed health care providers who consider many factors related to effective delivery of medications and the safety of their patients.   While this practice is generally safe, the professionals who provide the service must work closely with other aspects of health care systems to deliver safe and effective service.    

Today, patients may have an option to choose between clinic-based or at home services for their infusions.   As our health care system deals with the rapidly growing COVID-19 epidemic,  here are a few questions you should ask your infusion provider. 

1. Are the infusion service provider and all the anticipated ancillary costs covered by the patient’s insurance?  

2. Does the infusion service perform a health screen by telephone before arrival? This should include screening for symptoms or other risk factors that may indicate potential for infection for the patient and other persons who will attend with the patient in the  infusion center or be present at a home visit. 

3. Is that screening repeated at the site of infusion before the patient enters the building or the provider enters the patient’s home? 

4. For infusion clinics, does the service provide for appropriate physical distance between patients in the waiting area and in the infusion area?  

5. Does the service have a documented hygiene protocol that covers handling immunocompromised or otherwise high-risk patients?  

6. Does the service have experience delivering the specific medications that have been prescribed? 

7. For children, is the infusion center or home provider specifically trained and prepared to administer age-appropriate emergency care for infusion reactions if needed? 

Patients can be a powerful voice in assuring highly accessible, effective, and safe medical treatments are available to all.   Help make these goals a reality by being informed about how infusion services are provided in your community.