Learning to successfully manage
treatment of a bleeding disorder
in the home environment is the goal
for most patients and their families.
Since home therapy for bleeding
disorders usually means learning
to administer a medication intravenously,
this is an important step for many
families. The advantages of learning
home therapy often outweigh a family’s
concerns about administering a medication.
Families choose home therapy for
many reasons:
Home infusion may stop bleeds
sooner with less damage to the joint
or tissue and less pain.
|
The time interval between
recognizing that a bleed has
occurred and treating the
bleed may be a matter of minutes
for the patient on home therapy.
Coming to the emergency room
or to the bleeding disorders
clinic may add hours to this
time interval. The sooner
a bleed is stopped or prevented,
the less pain and joint damage
will happen.
|
Home therapy can enable the
person with a bleeding disorder
to lead a more “normal life.”
|
Treatment for a bleeding
disorder can be planned as
a part of a patient or family’s
daily routine. Families generally
feel as though they have more
control over their condition
and are less dependent upon
medical services and schedules.
|
The cost of care, in general,
dramatically decreases for the patient
on home therapy.
|
The expense of home therapy
is generally just the cost
of medication and ancillary
supplies (needles, syringes
etc). Treatment of bleeds
in the clinic or medical facility
also incurs costs for physician
and nursing time, facility
fees and any additional lab
work or diagnostic test completed.
This is a cost saving to the
patient and to the third-party
payer.
|
Patients and families on home
therapy always have the support
of their medical team in assessing
and treating bleeds.
|
Part of the training in home
therapy is learning how to
assess bleeds and when to
call the treatment team. Sometimes
bleeds are too serious to
be treated at home. Other
times, bleeds may not respond
to treatment as expected.
Occasionally, families simply
have difficulty performing
the venipuncture needed for
infusions. Home therapy requires
close collaboration between
the team and the family.
|
Traveling is easier on home
therapy.
|
Treating the patient or family
member away from home without
having to take him or her
to the nearest center gives
the family freedom. Having
knowledge of the nearest center
but the ability to manage
minor bleeds while traveling
gives peace of mind to the
traveler.
|
Companies providing home therapy
supplies can be another resource
for families.
|
Many specialized pharmacies
provide home therapy supplies
that are delivered directly
to the family’s home.
Additionally they provide
educational materials and
support.
Deciding when to learn home
therapy is a very individualized
decision. Some parents are
comfortable with learning
new medical skills and want
to start home infusing as
soon as possible. Some children
are more willing and interested
than others in either learning
to self-infuse or in having
a parent or caregiver infuse
them. Others need more time
and support before they feel
comfortable and competent
in home therapy. All families
need to have adequate education
to be able to assess and understand
how to dose and treat before
considering home therapy.
Visit Resources
for more information.
|
|
