New standards ahead for infusion therapy?
If the Alexandria, VA-based Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) has its way, it won’t be long before home infusion agencies are subject to much stricter standards. It is nearing the completion of a set of standards, developed with the help of the National Alliance for Infusion Therapy, among others.
Cara Bachenheimer, executive director of HIDA home care and long-term care, says that the main difference between the current standards and those currently being drafted is that there are service-specific standards listed in the new ones. Following is the entire text and current status of the 10 proposed standards for infusion providers.
1. The provider must have competent staff.
• Provider has trained, competent technical staff.
• Provider has access to qualified health professionals.
2. The provider must perform client assessments, which include:
• appropriateness of therapy;
• safety of home environment;
• development of plan of care to establish product and service needs.
3. The provider must coordinate client care with other providers and practitioners.
• communication and interaction with other providers and practitioners;
patient assessment/service plan;
changes in patient’s needs;
changes in patient’s care regimen.
4. The provider must have a valid, current, and accurate prescription for all products dispensed.
5. The provider schedules activities, including who does what and when.
6. The provider performs patient/caregiver training, which includes:
• indication for therapy;
• administration of medications or formula;
• operation and maintenance of pump;
• inventory storage and management;
• self-monitoring;
• emergency response.
7. The provider delivers, sets up, and picks up equipment and supplies.
8. The provider performs ongoing monitoring and follow-up, including:
• assesses response;
• assesses functioning of therapy delivery system;
• assesses product utilization, patient compliance;
• assesses continuing need for therapy (with others);
• tracks, cleans, maintains, and repairs equipment.
9. The provider provides access to emergency response services.
• Services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Provider responds within reasonable time.
• Provider provides intervention as indicated.
technical;
clinical provide instruction, visit or contact other provider.
10. Information management: Provider manages the following information related to the client:
• clinical records maintenance;
• patient satisfaction/grievances;
• complications;
• unscheduled deliveries and visits;
• utilization data by service, by patient;
• goals of therapy, patient needs.
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