Insights

Continuity of care is crucial. The often disjointed journey of patients moving between hospitals, retail pharmacies, specialty services, and infusion centers can compromise the success of therapy and overall health outcomes. Making sure that patients remain within the healthcare system and receive timely, effective treatment should be a top priority for providers.

Offering infusion services in alternative settings, such as home infusion or ambulatory clinics, allows providers to better manage their patients’ care. This leads to improved outcomes and satisfaction for both patients and providers. 

What are the Pitfalls of a Fragmented Patient Journey? 

Care often becomes fragmented when patients receive medication services at multiple locations. This makes it challenging for both providers and patients to navigate care effectively. When patients slip through the cracks as they transition between different sites of care, the following may occur: 

• Therapy goals are not achieved 
• Infusion therapies are not initiated as prescribed
• Specialty medications are administered incorrectly
• Administrative tasks overshadow patient care
• Patients experience negative outcomes 

Maintaining consistent documentation of the patient journey within a shared electronic health record (EHR) is critical to providing continuity and transparency. Addressing these challenges head-on is essential for improving patient outcomes and maintaining a high standard of care within the health system.

Answering the 5 Most Common Questions About Improving Care Through Infusion Strategies 

Health systems are increasingly focused on delivering integrated and connected care. To support this effort, we’ve answered the top five questions about infusion strategies: 

1. We Have Multiple Infusion Operations Between Clinics & Home Infusion. How Can We Make the Connection More Seamless? 

A centralized approach is critical in bringing together these operations. Centralized medication access services, which include prior authorization, patient assistance, benefit investigation, and determining the best site of care, can help streamline the process. 

By keeping your infusion services internal, you can better coordinate care, reduce the administrative burden on providers, and deliver a seamless experience for patients. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also enhances provider satisfaction by making the process easier and more efficient.

2. We’re Creating an Infusion Program. What Software Considerations Should We Keep in Mind for Our EHR?  

While EHR vendors are increasingly aware of the growing need for home infusion solutions, many systems currently lack the necessary tools to support infusion billing and reimbursement seamlessly. As a result, health systems often need to integrate additional software to manage these processes effectively.

However, there are ways to optimize your existing EHR to improve communication, transparency, and efficiency in clinical documentation. These improvements can enhance the overall infusion process while waiting for EHR vendors to develop more comprehensive solutions in the future. By making the most of your current EHR capabilities, you can create a more connected and efficient program.

3. We Have an Infusion Program & Would Like to Improve Infusion Prescription Capture Rates. How Do We Do This? 

Providers who prescribe infusion medications less frequently may be unfamiliar with the process, making it difficult for patients to receive their medications on time.

To improve prescription capture rates, it’s essential to take the following steps:

• Educate providers about the available infusion services and how to access them. 
• Simplify the process for both providers and patients to make it easy and efficient.
• Assure a smooth, successful experience for providers, increasing their likelihood of consistently using the system.
• Train the care team and case managers on utilizing infusion services, making sure everyone is equipped to support the process.
• Focus on patient benefits by creating a system that gives timely, affordable medication access, enhancing overall care.

4. We’re Thinking About Expanding Our Existing Infusion Program. What Should We Be Considering? 

Planning, assessment, and data analysis are critical when expanding an infusion program. The first step is understanding your current operations and identifying any gaps or “leakage” where infusion orders are being filled outside the health system.

Once you understand the opportunities, consider your existing assets and facilities. For example, you may need to invest in an internal clean room or other infrastructure to support the expansion. Health systems often find that once they evaluate the potential for improved patient outcomes and financial benefits, expanding infusion services becomes a cost-effective strategy.

Additionally, consider the efficiency of your organization. Having staff or experts who are experienced in operating infusion services is invaluable. Infusion is a specialized area that requires coordination across multiple departments—providers, case managers, nursing, revenue cycle, payer contracting, and more. These relationships are essential for successful expansion, as they assure that all stakeholders are supported and that the infusion services run smoothly.

5. We’re Designing a Consolidated Service Center for Pharmacy & Supply Chain. What Should We Be Thinking About Regarding Infusion? 

When designing a consolidated service center (CSC) for pharmacy and central supply, it’s important to consider how infusion services can be effectively integrated. Here are key areas to focus on:

• Collaborative Staff: Utilize shared staff who can collaborate across service lines, enhancing coordination and efficiency.
• Efficient Home & Clinic Delivery: Implement home delivery systems designed to avoid duplication of efforts and streamline operations.
• Centralized Storage: Centralize storage for infusion-specific supplies, such as tubing and pumps, to optimize space and improve access.
• Central Pharmacy Distribution: Incorporate central pharmacy distribution within the CSC to unlock value through coordinated drug pricing and economies of scale.
• Logistical Considerations: Take a lean six sigma approach to setting up CSC operational workflows and floor plans. Make sure operations are located near delivery bays to facilitate efficient logistics.
• Adequate Space Allocation: Plan for ample space to accommodate the growing demand for infusion and specialty services.

The Path Forward: Cohesive Infusion Solutions 

As infusion therapies grow, health systems must adopt strategies that enhance both patient care and provider experience. By addressing key challenges in infusion services, you can achieve significant improvements in outcomes and system performance with all infused medications, especially specialty drugs. This is a key strategy to overcome fragmented care and provide a seamless experience for patients.

Visante’s expert team is here to help optimize your infusion strategies. With tailored solutions and extensive industry expertise, we’ll guide your health system toward more integrated and effective care. Contact Visante today to begin your journey toward better outcomes and operational excellence.