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

Anaphylaxis Protocols in Home Infusions: Safety Guidelines for Nurses

Home infusion nursing brings the unique responsibility of providing high-quality care outside the traditional clinical environment. In the home setting nurses are a "One Man Team", unlike the hospitals that provide rapid response teams at a push of a button. While serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are rare, anaphylaxis can occur suddenly and without warning, requiring immediate recognition and decisive action. Nufactor patients are staffed with nurses who must undergo vetting and skills assessment prior to providing care to patients. This is done to ensure they are fully prepared to not only safely and effectively complete the infusion but also recognize any adverse drug reactions and be prepared to intervene accordingly. [More]

Anaphylaxis Review & Epinephrine Auto-Injectors and Vials

By Joe DiStefano, RPh.

Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction resulting from exposure to allergens that is rapid in onset and can result in a life-threatening emergency. Severe hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis to immune globulin (IG) are uncommon. Patients with low serum IgA with anti-IgA antibodies are at greater risk.

Anaphylaxis signs usually occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen; sometimes it can occur [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]