If you are one of the many Alphas who receive augmentation therapy at home via an infusion nurse or you self-infuse, it is crucial that you learn to properly manage your infusion supplies. Learn some great tips for keeping track of your supplies, staying organized, and making sure you’re ready for the unexpected.

Managing Infusion Supplies

It’s important to keep proper track of your infusion supplies to ensure that you always have everything you need on hand. In order to make dealing with infusion supplies as easy as possible, here are a few things to remember:

Keep Track of Deliveries

  • Keep a calendar: Know when the next supply ordering period will be and when the next delivery is scheduled for.
  • Follow the packing list: Reconcile supplies delivered against the packing list and make sure to report any missing or extra items to your specialty pharmacy.
  • Ensure supplies are up-to-date: Be sure the items received are the items you are currently using and in the correct quantities.

Stay Informed 

  • Know what’s what: Be sure you know what the items are and how they are to be used.
  • Follow best practices: Understand the recommendation for single use of flush solutions such as sodium chloride or heparin. Even though the vials may indicate by labeling or volume that they are “multi-dose,” they are to be used for only one infusion to maintain good infection control practices. Clinical studies have indicated that multiple use of the vials increases the risk of infection. The cost savings are negligible when you consider the cost and resources required to treat an infection.

Organize Your Supplies

  • Keep a record: Keep an accurate inventory of items on hand.
  • Make packets: Make individual weekly infusion packets. Place all of the infusion supplies needed for a single infusion in a clear plastic bag. Make one supply packet for each of your infusions until all or most of your supplies are packaged. This allows you to determine immediately how many weeks of supplies you have and decreases the time needed to take a supply inventory for your specialty pharmacy.
  • Keep it all together: Keep all your infusion supplies in one area of your home to eliminate any confusion.
  • Extra, extra: Always keep a few extra items on hand for backup usage and communicate the types and numbers of these backup items to your specialty pharmacy or your infusion nurse.