Transitioning from parent-assisted or clinical infusion to self-infusion can be a significant step toward independence for patients with a bleeding disorder. Self-infusing may help patients feel more in control of their bleeding disorder.
Some things to consider when transitioning are:
Age and maturity
Motor skills
Training
Age and Maturity
Some children begin to practice infusing (or assisting in the infusion process) as early as kindergarten. Most children can help with “pushing their factor” and can often tape the gauze on the infusion site by school age. Consider finding ways to have your child participate in the infusion process. As the child grows older, allow them to be more involved in the process and play a bigger role in the infusion.
By the end of elementary school, it is ideal to have your child fully assisting in the process. Many children at this age can identify an appropriate vein for infusing and may also be ready to participate with the venipuncture. By middle school, it is beneficial for your child to be able to perform the self-infusion, whether under supervision or independently.
Motor Skills
Not all children develop equivalent fine motor skills at the same time. Your child’s ability to self-infuse very much depends on their fine motor skills. Typically by middle school, children can be trained to use a tourniquet, use an alcohol wipe to clean the infusion area, hold gauze, and apply tape or a bandage. Using a needle to infuse intravenously is a fine motor skill requiring training and practice. Encourage your child to practice under supervision. Treatment centers, bleeding disorder organizations, healthcare companies, and specialty pharmacies often hold self-infusion clinics or learning sessions. Encourage participation in such medically supervised events as it facilitates the self-infusion process under proper guidance.
Training
Whether for an adult or a child, self-infusion training should be conducted by a medical professional. There are many progressive ideas and helpful hints to help a person excel at infusing a loved one or self-infusion. As one becomes more adept at performing an infusion, preferences and techniques will develop. Be sure to practice safely, use caution, and follow your medical provider’s recommendations.
Home Infusion Steps and Helpful Tips
Even those very experienced in self-infusion sometimes miss a vein. For those living with a bleeding disorder on factor replacement therapy, this 3-page guide provides steps for successful home infusion. The guide also provides helpful tips for infusing a child.
Patient Navigation Program
Securing access to prescribed therapy, resolving insurance issues, and dealing with medically-related financial burdens represent some of the health system challenges faced by members of the bleeding disorders community. Our Patient Navigation Program is here to help!
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. All information, content, and material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here or on our website.
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