QUESTION: Is it all right for my mother's doctor to discharge her from the hospital while she is still in need of medications, and continue to prescribe an I.V.
antibiotic medication for her at home? He has assured us that this is done frequently today, and will provide all the care my mother needs at home. What is your opinion?
ANSWER: With the development of new and very effective and safe antibiotics that can be administered by a parenteral route (through an intravenous tube), the idea of discharging patients from the hospital to continue their medications as outpatients (outpatient intravenous therapy or OIT) has begun to catch on.
There are some restrictions of course, and this method of therapy can never be used for patients with life threatening infections. However, when the infecting bacteria has been identified and the proper medication selected, and when there is evidence that the antibiotic is working well, transferring the patient to their own home surroundings can be considered.
It requires that both patient and family thoroughly understand the requirements for this procedure, and that the family is able to assist and support the patient.
A refrigerator to store the medications must be available, as well as a telephone to assure communications in the event of an emergency.
Nursing care and home health services can be provided, but there is a catch to this scheme.
While it is most certainly less expensive to care for a patient at home than in the hospital, many insurance plans (including Medicare) do not pay for self administered drugs.
You would be well advised to check your insurance coverage and assess your financial obligations before considering this method of treatment, even if the scientific aspects and medical outcomes all do make sense.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
