Top 8 Reasons Why Patients Are Choosing Specialty Infusion Care

For years, patients who needed infusion therapy had limited options. Most treatments were given in hospital outpatient departments, which were often long waits, high facility fees, and impersonal settings. That model is changing. In the United States, more patients are choosing specialty infusion centers and home-based care as practical options that deliver the same quality of treatment but with greater convenience and lower costs.

Such a growing shift is evident with providers like Acelpa Health, offering specialty infusion services in patient-centric, clinically safe environments. Patients are finding that the place they receive care is just as important as the treatment itself, whether they’re managing an autoimmune condition, receiving cancer treatment, or getting IV antibiotics. What’s behind the shift? Here are eight factors.

1. Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs

In addition to costing per infusion session, facility fees are more prevalent in hospital outpatient departments, which significantly increase the cost of each infusion. Specialty infusion centers generally have a lower overhead and this often means that patients have lower co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses. If someone receives infusions every few weeks, they can make a big difference in the amount of savings that can be achieved over time, making treatment more affordable for those who live with it for an extended period.

2. Enhanced Convenience and Accessibility

Many specialty infusion centers are community-based, rather than hospital campus-based. That means shorter travel distances, less complicated medical facilities to navigate, and easier parking. Making it easier to get to an appointment is important for patients who are already managing the demands of a chronic condition.

3. Comfort and Privacy

Hospital infusion rooms are often shared spaces with little privacy and a constant stream of activity. Specialty centers often have private or semi-private treatment areas with comfortable recliners, free Wi-Fi and a more relaxed atmosphere. The environment really has an effect on the way patients experience care because these treatment sessions can go on for several hours.

4. Flexible Scheduling

The usual hospital departments tend to work to rigid schedules that don’t fit well with work and family obligations. Many specialty infusion centers offer extended weekday hours and weekend appointments, allowing patients more flexibility in scheduling their treatments. This flexibility helps to minimize missed days at work and disruptions to daily routines.

5. Specialized Clinical Expertise

Specialty infusion centers have nurses and pharmacists who are specially trained in providing infusion therapy. Many are certified in oncology, immunology or other related specialties. This focused expertise results in quicker recognition of adverse reactions, more accurate dosing modifications, and a higher level of clinical confidence with each session. Patients benefit from the expertise of professionals who give these complicated medications on a daily basis, not just once in a while.

6. Shorter Wait and Treatment Times

Specialty centers provide infusion services only, so the check-in process is simplified and the wait times are greatly reduced. Patients spend less time sitting around in waiting rooms and more time getting the actual treatment.” This efficiency is important for people living with fatigue or other symptoms of their illness.

7. Reduced Infection Risk

Hospitals care for a wide variety of patients, including those with acute and contagious illnesses. Healthcare infections continue to be a major concern in traditional hospital settings, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Specialty infusion centers treat non-emergency, ambulatory patients, greatly reducing the risk of exposure to infections acquired in hospitals. This is especially true for patients on biologics who are immunocompromised.

8. Personalized Continuity of Care

Patients may see a different nurse each time they visit a hospital. In specialty infusion centers, care teams are often dedicated to seeing the same patients on a regular basis. This continuity builds trust, helps clinicians pick up subtle changes in a patient’s condition, and permits better coordination with referring physicians. The result is a more personalized care experience that responds to each patient’s changing needs.

Final Thoughts

The change to specialty infusion care is part of a larger trend in healthcare: consumers want quality care in places that respect their time, comfort and wallet. The benefits of these different care options are clear, such as cost-effectiveness, care scheduling, specialized knowledge and a reduced risk of infection. Specialty care offers a viable alternative to the standard hospital-based approach to specialty infusion care that has a number of negative consequences for patients who have complex or chronic conditions that need continuous infusion treatment.