Infusion Centers
 

I was curious what y'alls experiences were with infusion centers, for those of you that have gotten IVIG at one.. I have used the same company for three years, and am really not happy with them.. but I wonder if they are all that bad! I had such a rough day today getting infused.. and I think I might try to get infused elsewhere, as I am l losing whatever confidence I had in them Thanks!

I only had it in the hospital and outpatient through ambulatory care. I did not like ambulatory care at all. I also had it at home through Crescent health care and a third party nursing service, Brightstar. That was the best. You are home, they ship you all your supplies and the nurse comes and does your IV in the comfort of your home. Crescent stays in touch with you through a pharmacist and another nurse that is familiar with you and your Ivig. They contact your doctor for you should any problem arise. I couldn't have been happier with the service. Just wish it had worked.

I've been getting IVIG for 9 years and have used 3 different infusion centers. They all had their plusses and minuses, but overall, I haven't had any real bad experiences. May I ask exactly what your problems were. Are they having problems getting a vein? Are you having side affects? Perhaps we can give you some tips on how to have a better experience.

Juanita

Thank yall... well they have had so much turn over constantly the past 3 years.. including company name/full company turnovers.. I have never had much faith in the nurses abilities.. yes, they do have problems getting a vein.. I almost always get poked at least 4 or 5 times.. however when I have had IV's otherwise (like for my GI scopes and things, those nurses get me first stick...).. I can look past that though

They have messed up on billing two years in a row, which has made insurance take a look at my case. They simply don't submit the stuff to insurance, and ignore their calls.. it caused a cascade of issues with the rest of my medical bills, as I was supposed to hit my out of pocket maximum right in January, but since they don't submit things, It was all messed up.. ugh..
they also got rid of the nice pumps and got these 1970's pumps due to costs (they are HUGE, break, malfunction all the time).

Yesterday after 5 or 6 sticks, they got a vein, but it kept leaking IVIG.. the problem solving of where the leak was coming from was lacking.. then they pressed down on my arm and the vein blew and IVIG infiltrated out of the vein and caused a big whelp on my arm (this is after stopping and going with my infusion for hours).. so they got a new line.. about a hour or so later, I noticed my IV was backing up.. it hadn't been infusing.. turns out the machine messed up the line inside.. so they said they fixed it and it went again.. about an hour after that, i looked at my bag, it didnt' look like it was going down any, sure enough the machine had malfunctioned and was acting like it was infusing but wasn't... TURNS OUT.. that the SAME pump did the SAME thing yesterday- yet they didn't take it off the floor!!!

Finally it was after 5pm, I had to pick up my kids, super frustrated.. my benadryl had worn off, and I was starting to get some reactions, i had to just stop with about 20cc left.. I had to go... I didn't have time to take another benadryl, wait and then try to infuse that bit.. uggggggghhhhhh...

Due to the billing mishaps case management has gotten involved with my case.. is it safe to ask them to try and find me another infusion center? I always feel hesitant to utilize case management, as I dont' ever want my IVIG denied! (sorry for the novel)!

I would definitely ask case management to help me find another infusion center. They are aware you are on IVIG (my daughter was a case manager for Blue Cross and believe me, based on the amount of $$ IVIG costs, they know) and want you to get the best service you can get for the price they are paying. Doesn't sound like your infusion center is doing all they can for the patient.

One suggestion I would make if your plans are to continue IVIG indefinitely is to get a port. I was having to get stuck 5-7 times each infusion and I finally told my neuro I wanted a port after seeing how easy it was for other patients. I've had a port for about 5 years and only had a problem once. They nurse hit the side of the port and didn't realize it and it infiltrated my chest - not much, just enough for me to notice it. She immediately replaced the needle and not more problems.

Good luck and hope you find an infusion center that cares about the patient.

I use the infusion center at Baptist downtown in Jacksonville Florida and they have been great. I almost always have had problems with the nurse getting the vein when I have blood samples but not once at the infusion center, After 5 in the first week I have had it monthly for 7 months. I would have had it in home but medicare covers it all as medical in the center but in home the IVIG goes on the drug plan. It would cost about $1000 in co pays in home. My supplemental plan F covers all the costs in the center.

Sonomagirl
 

I have only had one round of infusion but our center in Savannah through one of our hospitals. Nurse, staff, receptionist, communication with my doctor was first class. Never have I seen a unit or office operate with such compassion and knowledge.