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.

How to Use the IG Side Effects Card

Prior to an infusion visit, we ask nurses to contact patients 12 -24 hours before and complete our Pre-Infusion Checklist (IVIG Pre-Infusion Checklist / SCIG Pre-Infusion Checklist). Nufactor developed the checklist to help the nurse and patient plan for a successful infusion. The list is a great tool and helps nurses guide their patients using a standardized check-off format. The list provides tips to give to the patient the day prior to, the day of, and the day after an infusion. [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]

Home Infusion of Immune Globulin: Navigating the Challenges

By Jean McCaslin, RN, IgCN.

Home health care continues to be the fastest growing segment of the health care industry. Many patients prefer the convenience and comfort of receiving care in the home. While the infusion of immune globulin (IG) requires specialty knowledge and precaution, the home infusion environment itself requires thoughtful consideration and accommodation. [More]

Management of Anaphylaxis

By Joe DiStefano, RPh.

Regardless of past tolerance to immune globulin (IG), a patient can have a reaction to any dose. Taking prescribed pre-medications and taking oral ones approximately 30 – 60 minutes before IG can help minimize or eliminate common adverse reaction such as headache and flu-like symptoms. While uncommon but serious, an anaphylaxis reaction can also occur and is the reason to always have the anaphylaxis kit readily available for use. [More]

Pre-Medications Use, Side Effect Management & Intravenous Immune Globulin

By Joe DiStefano, RPh.

Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) preparations are safe and effective treatments for a variety of medical conditions. Serious, but uncommon reactions occur, and include thromboembolic events, (e.g., pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack), renal dysfunction and acute renal failure. Mild to moderate side effects that occur during or after IVIG treatment are more common. These may include: headache, flushing, chills, myalgia, fatigue, low grade fever, changes in blood pressure and lower back pain. While many common side effects may be controlled by decreasing the IVIG infusion rate, administering physician-prescribed pre-medications can [More]