Infusion Therapy Quality and Cost Outcomes by Site of Care
Non-oncologic infusion therapies administered in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) were associated with significantly higher costs with no corresponding improvement in quality or safety outcomes when compared with infusions delivered in alternate sites of care.
Infusion therapies are commonly administered in HOPDs, physician offices, ambulatory infusion centers, or patients’ homes. The site for administering infusion therapy can impact the cost of care. However, less is known about differences in quality of care across sites.
This study, published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, examined whether the site of care affects patient outcomes, utilization of other healthcare services, adherence, and costs for commercially insured adults receiving infusion therapy. Findings suggest that, when clinically appropriate, alternative sites of care can deliver comparable quality at substantially lower costs than the HOPD. This study found similar rates of adverse events, utilization, and adherence across sites, while outpatient costs were more than 40% higher in HOPDs.
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