The Lung Defence Home IV Service was introduced for patients with bronchiectasis or recurrent respiratory infections requiring intravenous antibiotics (IV).
Patients with bronchiectasis often require treatment escalation to treat infection if oral antibiotics fail.
The Home IV Service provides a safe and efficient treatment option for patients to learn how to self-administer IV antibiotics at home so they receive their treatment in an appropriate timeframe and avoid the need for hospital admission.
Our highly experienced team of nurses train and support patients, and sometimes carers or family members, in all the processes to safely self-administer treatment. They use two methods for Home IV therapy and your clinical team will prescribe the most appropriate treatment for you.
Self-Mix Method
The nurses will teach you how to mix and draw up antibiotics from a vial to give as injections from a syringe or as a drip from a bag of fluid. This is usually commenced as a day case and you will receive a full day or sometimes longer training and supervision until you and the nursing team feel you are safe and confident to manage the rest of your treatment at home. Your clinical team will prescribe your medication and this will be supplied by the hospital with all the equipment you need.
Pre-Mixed Method
- These antibiotics are provided ready mixed and with a fridge to store them in. All of this equipment is delivered to your home during your two-week treatment course.
- The nurses will teach you how to learn how to administer pre-mixed antibiotics as a bolus injection or intermittent infusion. This is usually commenced as a day case and you will receive a full day or sometimes longer training and supervision until you and the nursing team feel you are safe and confident to manage the rest of your treatment at home.
- Your clinical team will prescribe your medication, and ancillaries are delivered by a Homecare provider and patients are subsequently trained and start their antibiotics as a day case.
We have produced some Home IV videos for your information and guidance. We hope you find these a useful resource. Please click on the appropriate video to view.
Pre-mixed IV (bolus)
Pre-mixed IV (Infusion)
Self-Mixed IV (bolus)
Self-Mixed IV (infusion)
If you require any information or have any queries about your Home IV treatment, please contact your nursing team.