Home infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IGIV) is being used extensively in the home-care setting to treat patients with a wide variety of disorders. This therapy can be managed more effectively when the patient and/or caregiver have been educated regarding the therapy. In this article, a therapy education plan, policies, and procedures that address the key components of providing IGIV treatments in the home-care setting will be presented. Instructional information is presented in "patient-friendly terms" that can be readily applied to the nursing care plan. This plan will be applicable for patients who will become independent with the administration of their IGIV as well as for those who will have their IGIV administered by the home-care nurse.