Extensive documentation, quality improvement, accreditation status, in-service education, and program development are all spearheaded at the provider level and improve and expand upon patient services. Infusion therapy is a medical therapy involving the prolonged and often repeated administration of pharmaceutical products and nutritional solutions through the bloodstream. Parenteral nutrition is designed to meet the daily caloric requirements and nutritional needs of patients whose digestive systems do not function sufficiently to absorb nutrients to maintain weight and strength through oral nutritional intake. Many infusion providers are also involved in providing enteral nutrition, a form of nutrition support provided either orally or through a feeding tube. While enteral nutrition is not administered intravenously, it is often prescribed as an important adjunct to infusion therapies for patients who are nutritionally compromised.
Alternate site is a general term used to describe all non-hospital inpatient settings.
Alternate site health care has grown out of a need to decrease health care costs by providing care outside the hospital setting whenever it is safe, clinically appropriate, and cost-effective to do so. In recent years, tremendous advances have been made to identify new treatment strategies and technologies that can ensure successful patient outcomes outside the hospital. The high-tech field of infusion therapy is a prime example of that accomplishment. Alternate site infusion therapy allows patients to have greater control and independence while undergoing their course of treatment in the comfort of their own homes. Many patients are able to be ambulatory, return to work or school, and continue with other normal life activities while receiving treatment.