In 1980 virtually all infusion (intravenous) therapy was
performed in the hospital setting. Indeed, it was only paid for
in the hospital setting. This was part of the insurance
contract at that time.
During the 1980’s we began to send patients home with
central catheters (upper chest or neck) to complete therapy
started in the hospital. Initially, we would defer this
procedure without written authorization of coverage since the
placement of the catheter was an invasive procedure. By the
end of the 1980’s and early 1990’s, home intravenous care
was firmly established.
performed in the hospital setting. Indeed, it was only paid for
in the hospital setting. This was part of the insurance
contract at that time.
During the 1980’s we began to send patients home with
central catheters (upper chest or neck) to complete therapy
started in the hospital. Initially, we would defer this
procedure without written authorization of coverage since the
placement of the catheter was an invasive procedure. By the
end of the 1980’s and early 1990’s, home intravenous care
was firmly established.
In 1997, Medicare stopped all reimbursement for home intravenous antibiotics.
Physicians were faced with a choice of hospital care or nursing home care. Many of
our patients were perfectly healthy in a general way and did not need a nursing
home. We began to provide intravenous therapy in a clinic setting 7 days a week –
provided we could use a once a day therapy. Over time, patients with regular
insurance who could be treated this way were able to avail themselves of this
service. We were still limited due to an inability to do multi dose medicines and had
difficulty getting a competitive price on medicine as a solo practice.
Since 2003, as a result of relationships we developed with pharmacy management
companies, we have been able to provide care in or out of the clinic with equal ease
depending on the medical needs of the patient.
Ideally we can prevent hospitalization from the office, reduce the need to admit from
the emergency room and allow patients to transition out of the hospital while still
providing close, safe, supervised medical care.
Providing clinic based intravenous therapy for moderately serious infections in a
safe way is an exciting new development. It allows us to reduce the cost of the
delivery of care and reduce the exposure of patients to hospital acquired infections
and other risks associated with hospitalization. Additionally it offers the patient the
maximum in comfort, efficiency of time and flexibility for their busy lives.
Prepared by: Michael P. Dailey, M.D.
Physicians were faced with a choice of hospital care or nursing home care. Many of
our patients were perfectly healthy in a general way and did not need a nursing
home. We began to provide intravenous therapy in a clinic setting 7 days a week –
provided we could use a once a day therapy. Over time, patients with regular
insurance who could be treated this way were able to avail themselves of this
service. We were still limited due to an inability to do multi dose medicines and had
difficulty getting a competitive price on medicine as a solo practice.
Since 2003, as a result of relationships we developed with pharmacy management
companies, we have been able to provide care in or out of the clinic with equal ease
depending on the medical needs of the patient.
Ideally we can prevent hospitalization from the office, reduce the need to admit from
the emergency room and allow patients to transition out of the hospital while still
providing close, safe, supervised medical care.
Providing clinic based intravenous therapy for moderately serious infections in a
safe way is an exciting new development. It allows us to reduce the cost of the
delivery of care and reduce the exposure of patients to hospital acquired infections
and other risks associated with hospitalization. Additionally it offers the patient the
maximum in comfort, efficiency of time and flexibility for their busy lives.
Prepared by: Michael P. Dailey, M.D.
Infectious Disease Services of Georgia, P.C.
Office Infusion Center (OIC)
| Michael Dailey, M.D. |
| Office Infusion Center A Brief History |
 |
| For More Information About the Infusion Center - Contact the Roswell office at: 1-770-255-1069 |
