Article Summary:
As the healthcare industry evolves to address rising costs and provide appropriate care in the right setting, home infusion therapy has become an increasingly popular option in post-acute care, enabling patients to access safe and effective treatment in the comfort of their own homes. OneHome’s holistic, value-based model of home infusion care is part of that transformation from a volume-based system to a more patient-centric approach; the most recent data shows that 40% of Medicare payments are tied to alternative payment models, with value-based care projected to reduce health care costs by $2.6 trillion over the next decade. OneHome’s approach enhances both the provider and patient experience through the coordination of services, and the communication and support needed for optimal treatment and outcomes in the home setting that leads to lower costs.
Providing patients the option of receiving infusion therapy in the home, rather than in a hospital or medical facility setting, has grown substantially in recent years. The shift toward home infusion therapy accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued expanding as patients and providers experience its benefits and Medicare made permanent the coverage of those services. According to the latest figures, 3.2 million patients receive home infusion therapy each year, many for post-acute care.
Evidence and Experience Prove Benefits of Home Infusion Care
Backing up this trend is research supporting its advantages. A systematic review of existing studies found that home infusion therapy is safe and effective, with patients no more likely to experience adverse drug events or side effects, and having equal or better clinical outcomes. It is also overwhelmingly preferred by patients and can improve their quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.
The convenience and accessibility of home infusion are major reasons why it is favored by many patients, particularly those who are not able to easily travel to outpatient infusion facilities due to a lack of transportation, physical limitations or travel distances. It can also provide greater comfort to recover in their own home and cause less disruption in daily life for both the patient and caregivers.
Reduced costs are another advantage of home infusion care, with research showing that home infusion costs are significantly lower than infusion costs in the medical setting, with savings between $1,928 and $2,974 per treatment course. A study of Medicare beneficiaries found that home infusion antibiotic therapy, one of the most commonly administered infusion treatments, saves $3 billion over a five-year period compared to when received as an inpatient.
While the benefits of home infusion therapy are clear, the patient and prescribing clinician experience depends heavily upon the ability of the home infusion provider and its clinical staff to offer the level of education and support needed to ensure a successful outcome.
Transforming Home Infusion Care with OneHome’s Value-Based Model
OneHome’s patient-centric, value-based approach provides safe and effective home infusion services through close coordination and communication with the patient, pharmacy, clinicians and payers that enables patients to recover in the comfort of their homes. It also provides caregivers the support they need when taking on the responsibility of administering the infusion.
This comprehensive care streamlines the infusion medication, equipment ordering and delivery process, ensuring prompt arrival upon the patient’s discharge from the hospital, as well as a timely initial visit and ongoing care from the nursing staff. The OneHome model offered in several key markets helps relieve physicians of the often burdensome work of dealing with different pharmacies and home health providers with an all-in-one service, which is especially useful when a patient requires additional home health services beyond infusion care. “OneHome’s model is beneficial for both patients and their doctors because of the visibility and communication between all the moving parts that affect patient care. As a pharmacist, I see that difference in fewer problems with prescriptions, medication delivery, patient compliance and overall satisfaction,” said Joshua Vinson, Pharm.D., Senior Director of Clinical Pharmacy and Quality at OneHome.
The value-based model is transforming healthcare from a volume-based system to a more holistic care approach that has the added benefit of reducing costs. The most recent data shows that 40% of Medicare payments are tied to alternative payment models, with value-based care projected to reduce health care costs by $2.6 trillion over the next decade.
Empowering Patients Through Education and Support
A common hurdle for patients and caregivers who will be administering the home infusion themselves is overcoming their fear and gaining confidence in their ability to properly and safely manage the pump and infusion line. Education is key to their success, which is why OneHome nurse practitioners (NPs) spend as much time and visits as needed, encouraging and coaching patients until they are comfortable doing it on their own. Patients are also provided a guide with step-by-step diagrams, a 24/7 on-call service line, and often the nurse’s private cell phone number to contact whenever needed.
OneHome RN, Nancy Gallegos, recalls a patient whose wife would be responsible for administering his parenteral nutrition infusion but was too scared to do it herself, “The woman was in her eighties and told me flat out when I arrived, ‘nope, I can’t do it.’ It took daily visits for an extended time to allay her fears and build her confidence.” Gallagos saw the woman again a few years later and she was administering the infusion like a pro and was grateful for the time spent training and supporting her.
Even after the patient is comfortable with self-administering the medication, a nurse will continue to make weekly visits for lab work, PICC line dressing changes and to address any patient challenges and questions. These visits also provide visibility on changing safety and caregiver issues occurring in the home or medication problems that can be quickly relayed to the patient’s physician.
“With the right support, patients are thankful to remain at home where they feel more comfortable and can live their lives more normally,” said Gallegos.