La infusión en el hogar de terapia inotrópica ayuda a los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca a disfrutar de una mejor calidad de vida, según muestra un estudio de Option Care
By: Option Care
July 12, 2017
Según los resultados, los pacientes se beneficiaron significativamente de manera global.
Presentado en una reunión del NHIA
BANNOCKBURN, Ill., July 12, 2017 — Advanced heart failure patients who receive home infusion of inotropic therapy benefit from improved quality of life, according to Option Care research presented at the 2017 National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Annual Conference & Exposition.
Patients with advanced heart failure are prescribed intravenous (IV) inotropic therapy to help their hearts pump more efficiently while they await a heart transplant or mechanical circulatory support (MCS) or to help them spend their remaining days in greater comfort. Studies have shown inotropic therapy provided in the hospital or healthcare facility is effective, but there’s been limited research on home infusion of the treatment.
“Our study shows home inotropic therapy improved quality of life in advanced heart failure patients,”[*]Walther K, Artig-Brown T, et al. The impact of home infusion on quality of life in patients with heart failure receiving home inotropic therapy based on the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire. Poster presented at the 2017 National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Annual Conference & Exposition: May 22-25, 2017; Orlando. said Kyle Walther, PharmD, lead author of the study and Option Care pharmacy resident. “Because inotropic therapy typically is provided long-term, it’s invaluable that patients have the opportunity to receive this vital care in the comfort of their own homes, so they can continue to spend time with their families and enjoy the best quality of life.”
El estudio incluyó a 88 pacientes adultos con insuficiencia cardíaca que completaron el cuestionario "Minnesota vive con insuficiencia cardíaca" (MLHFQ - Minnesota Living with Heart Failure) antes del inicio de la infusión inotrópica y tres meses después de la infusión del tratamiento en el hogar.[*]Walther K, Artig-Brown T, et al. The impact of home infusion on quality of life in patients with heart failure receiving home inotropic therapy based on the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire. Póster presentado en la Conferencia y Exhibición Anual de la National Home Infusion Association; 22 a 25 de mayo de 2017; Orlando. El MLHFQ mide el efecto de la insuficiencia cardíaca en la calidad de vida, con 21 preguntas a los pacientes sobre temas que van desde la falta de aire hasta los costos médicos. Una puntuación más baja indica que la insuficiencia cardíaca tiene menos efectos negativos en la calidad de vida del paciente. Al comparar los resultados del MLHFQ al inicio de la terapia con los obtenidos después de tres meses de terapia, los investigadores concluyeron que, en general, hubo una mejora de 8.65 por ciento en los puntajes entre todos los pacientes, lo que fue estadísticamente significativo. Los puntajes del MLHFQ mostraron que la infusión de la terapia inotrópica en el hogar fue especialmente beneficiosa para reducir la falta de aire (17.13 por ciento de mejora), las estadías en los hospitales (17.65 por ciento de mejora) y el costo de la atención médica (20.78 por ciento de mejora).
Patients in the study received one of three types of inotropic medications: milrinone, dobutamine or dopamine. The medication was infused continuously 24 hours a day through an IV inserted in the chest or arm and stored in a small bag or fanny pack, allowing patients to be mobile. The medication was delivered to the home, and a home infusion nurse visited weekly to check the patient’s vitals, blood and infusion site and ensure the equipment was working effectively. Patients had 24/7 telephone access to pharmacists and nurses if they had questions or concerns. This high-touch care allows patients to receive help quickly, without having to wait for a response from their primary care provider or make a trip to the emergency room.
Home infusion is safe, effective and often less costly than inpatient care. For example, high-touch home infusion of inotropic medication featuring consistent clinical monitoring and support significantly reduces hospital admission rates, saving more than $17,000 per patient per year, according to Option Care research.[*]Meaux N. and Tatiel M. Hospital admission reductions among Stage D heart failure patients participating in a home inotropic infusion program. Poster presented at 7th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN): June 23-25, 2011; Seattle. However, an unintended consequence of the 21st Century Cures Act, passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law in December 2016, is the creation of a gap in Medicare coverage for home infusion of inotropic therapy, effectively taking away funding for patient access to high quality home infusion.
“Medicare pays for the care involved in providing infusion of inotropic therapy, but only if it’s provided in a hospital, nursing home or other health facility,” said Tess Artig-Brown BSN, MN, co-author of the poster and director of Option Care’s Heart Failure Program. “Few patients would choose to be in a facility receiving their care when they can be in their own homes, and our research suggests home infusion of inotropic therapy allows them to do that. Hopefully this will help draw attention to the benefits of improving patient access to high-quality home infusion.”
Acerca de Option Care
Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care) is one of the nation’s largest and most trusted providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services. An industry leader, the company draws on nearly 40 years of clinical care experience to offer patient-centered therapy management. Option Care’s signature Home Infusion Plus services include the clinical management of infusion medicines, nursing support and care coordination. Option Care’s multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians — including pharmacists, nurses and dietitians — are able to provide home infusion service coverage for nearly all patients across the United States needing treatment for complex and chronic conditions. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.
Media Contact Information:
Lauren Kotarski
312-558-1770
LKotarski@pcipr.com
# # #
You might also be interested in:
Estudio de Option Care: los pacientes de nutrición en el hogar tratados por nutricionistas tienen mayor posibilidad de recibir una terapia que cumple con las pautas
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 17, 2016 — Patients are more likely to receive the appropriate type of home nutrition therapy when their care includes management by registered dietitians, suggests a study being presented at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Clinical Nutrition Week meeting today in Austin. Nutrition therapy patients receiving home parenteral […]
Option Care obtiene un puntaje perfecto en la acreditación de la URAC para sus centros de farmacia de especialidad
BANNOCKBURN, Ill., April 6, 2017 — Option Care Enterprises, Inc., one of the nation’s leading providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion therapy services, has earned URAC Specialty Pharmacy accreditation with a perfect score of 100 percent for corporate, as well as Option Care’s three specialty pharmacy centers of excellence located in Chicago, Los […]