It can often be difficult to treat a patient who is unable to take food or medication orally. This can either be due to injury or illness, or sometimes even just due to the nature of treatment required as some medications simply are not as effective when introduced to the body orally. Infusion therapy is a way to bypass this issue and provide the patient with help they need. Using a medical device called an infusion pump, fluids are able to be delivered to a patient intravenously (meaning through the patient’s veins), completely bypassing the need for oral introduction.
This means that a patient is able absorb whatever hydration substances, medication or food that they require even when they cannot be taken in through the mouth.
These sorts of treatments are only possible through the use of an infusion pump and while infusion therapy has saved many lives, there are still many precautions that need to be taken when providing this treatment to patients. This is why health professionals always need to be vigilant in acquiring medical supplies in Australia, in order to make sure any purchased equipment is of high quality and that patient health is always put first.
Many of the risks associated with infusion therapy are mitigated by good hygiene and cleaning practices. This is of course, including both the cleanliness of the patient, surgeon and their equipment as anything entering the bloodstream must be perfectly clean to reduce the risk of infection. Any of the food substances or medication entering the body via infusion pump should be of high quality and well before it’s expiry as well for the safety of all involved.
What is treated by infusion therapy?
There are many illnesses that are best treated with infusion therapy. Most include viruses or infections that do not respond to oral medication, either because the stomach acid may affect the absorption of the medication, or because the patient may be suffering from general malabsorption issues due to an ongoing illness such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There is also a need for infusion therapy in complex illnesses that respond best to intravenous treatments such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis, congestive heart failure and some types of immune deficiency disorders.
Some other treatments provided via infusion pump include:
- Antibiotic/Antiviral
- Hydration
- Chemotherapy
- Enteral Nutrition
- Inotropic Therapy
- Pain Management
- Anti-Emetics
- Anti-Hemophilic Factors
Infusion therapy is one of many ways that doctors can save lives in ways they couldn’t before such technological advancements. Infusion pumps are safer than ever, and while there are still risks at hand as there are with any invasive surgeries or intravenous treatments, most are well documented and easily prevented. Finding safe and well manufactured medical supplies in Australia only becomes easier as time passes and the medical field becomes more advanced. Speak to a supplier today about how you too can invest in high quality equipment and provide your patients with the best of care.
