Infusion Nursing Notes Blog

The Role of the Clinical Pharmacist

22. April 2016 Amy Ehlers IVIG Essentials (0)

By Amy Ehlers, BS, PharmD, BCPS.

Historically, the pharmacist's role in healthcare has been limited to filling and dispensing drugs based on a prescription, and ensuring that these medications were accurately delivered to patients. Today, this is no longer true. As the healthcare system has grown and evolved, so has the role and responsibility of the pharmacist. It is now expected that "pharmacists establish relationships with patients to ensure the appropriateness of medication therapy, patients' understanding of their therapy, and to monitor the effects of that therapy." [More]

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

23. March 2016 Joseph DiStefano IVIG Essentials (3)

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]

IVIG Brands

18. December 2015 Joseph DiStefano Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (1)

By Joe DiStefano, RPh.

There are ten different brands of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) commercially available in the United States: [More]

Who To Call and When: A Guide to Communication With MD and Pharmacist Part 2

6. November 2015 Michelle Greer Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (0)

By Michelle Greer, RN, IgCN.

In our last blog, we talked about some of the more common side effects and when to communicate with the MD and the pharmacist. For Part 2, let’s talk about some additional side effects as well as signs and symptoms of more severe adverse events associated with immune globulin therapy. [More]

Who To Call and When: A Guide to Communication With The MD and Pharmacist Part 1

17. September 2015 Michelle Greer Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (1)

By Michelle Greer, RN, IgCN.

In the support of our patients in the homecare setting, it is imperative as nurses that we know when to notify the physician and pharmacist for patients receiving immune globulin therapy. IG therapy does have side effects, and it is important to recognize them and know what to do. Every patient will react differently to IG therapy. Some patients may experience no side effects at all, while others may have mild to moderate reactions. This goes for both IV and SC therapy. The management of IVIG and SCIG infusion side effects is crucial to the overall tolerability of IG therapy. [More]

Peripheral IV Access: A Lost Art?

20. August 2015 Candy Finley & Michelle Greer Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (2)

By Candy Finley, RN, IgCN & Michelle Greer, RN, IgCN.

Peripheral intravenous access catheters are a commonly used IV device for patients receiving infusion therapy at home. They are primarily used for administration of medications, fluids and/or blood products, and occasionally blood sampling. Long term and daily therapies have created a need for indwelling catheters, and PIV's are becoming less common. As a result, the skills required to properly access a vein with a catheter that can stay in place without complications have become somewhat "rusty." [More]

HYQVIA: Part 2

6. August 2015 Cindi Berry IVIG Essentials (0)

By Cindi Berry, RN BSN.

HYQVIA: Part 2 will discuss the administration steps and important aspects of HYQVIA therapy.

The administration and teaching of HYQVIA should be done by a well-trained RN. It is recommended that the treating RN has an extensive infusion background, and has been proficiently trained in IVIG and SCIG administration. [More]

Pre-visit/Visit Preparation: Vital Tasks for a Successful Infusion

9. April 2015 Michelle Greer & Cindi Berry Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (2)

By Michelle Greer, RN, IgCN and Cindi Berry, RN, BSN.

When working in homecare, preparing to see your patient for intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy can be challenging and requires a good deal of preparation. Many times, it is up to you, the registered nurse, to put together some of the information prior to seeing your patient. This information includes doctor visit notes, current orders prescribed by the doctor, specialty pharmacy orders and supplies, and knowing the type of therapy that will be administered in the home. In addition, since there are many different brands and doses of IG, you should be familiar with both of these prior to seeing your patient in the home. [More]

COVID 19 Pre-Visit Screen • Nursing Visit Guidance

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