Infusion
Nursing Notes
By Nufactor

Infusion Nursing Notes by Nufactor provides education, resources and support to promote successful patient therapy within the infusion nursing community.

Positivity

Happy New Year! This is a time of fresh starts, new beginnings, and starting over again, but a calendar doesn’t have to determine when you make decisions about your life to make improvements. In fact, living a positive life is a process, not an event. It’s something that is a conscious and active decision every day, no matter what is going on in your life. Easier said than done, right? [More]

Gratitude

Let’s start by taking a couple of deep breaths, inhale through your nose and slowly exhale out through your mouth (smell the flowers and blow out the candles is how I like to say it). Starting your day with a few minutes of prayer or meditation helps you to be intentional. Let’s begin! [More]

Infliximab, Biologics: Infusion Precautions

Biologics products have been developed to treat undesirable immune responses caused by chronic systemic inflammatory conditions. The immune system consists of a vast network of cells, tissues and organs that all perform specific functions to help keep the “host” in a state of equilibrium. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) inhibitor. That has been used to slow the progression of several inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis by blocking the activation of TNF, target specific therapy. [More]

Disease States: Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases (PIDDs)

There are greater than 400 forms of Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases (PIDDs) recognized by the International Union of Immunological Societies.1 These rare genetic diseases are chronic, at times debilitating, and often costly per the National Institute of Health (NIH).1 PIDDs are also known as Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI). These can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity. They share a common thread; part of the immune system is missing or not functioning properly. This leads to the hallmark of increased susceptibility to infection; it could involve the sinuses, lungs, skin, ears, throat, spinal cord, brain, urinary tract or intestinal tracts. Physical exam may also identify signs of a PIDD including enlargement of lymph nodes, the liver or spleen. For some, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune symptoms or blood vessel inflammation could indicate a PIDD. [More]

Managing IVIG-Related Side Effects

Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) infusions are generally well tolerated. Most associated side effects are mild and managed with multiple approaches which may include pre-medication, clinical consultation providing education on what to expect with infusion, ongoing monitoring of infusions, and modifications to the individualized patient infusion protocol if side effects occur. [More]