IV Therapy at Home

Which IV therapies can be safely delivered at home

HomeLink Healthcare can support a wide range of IV therapies safely and effectively in the home, including:

• IV antibiotics for infections including but not limited to cellulitis, joint infections, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections (e.g. pneumonia, bronchiectasis), sepsis (where clinically appropriate), and diabetic foot infections.
• IV diuretics helping avoid admission or support step-down from hospital.
• IV fluids for appropriate patients with dehydration.
• Bisphosphonates for bone metastases and osteoporosis management.
• Immunoglobulin therapy for patients with immune deficiencies or autoimmune conditions.
• IV Pabrinex preventing Wernicke’s Encephalopathy (WE) in individuals with alcohol-use disorders.
• Blood monitoring and line care for patients with central venous access devices (e.g. PICC lines).

When required these services are delivered up to QDS by highly skilled nurses under robust clinical governance, ensuring seamless coordination with hospital and community teams.

Aligned with NHS priorities

IV therapy at home supports key NHS priorities:

• Reduces avoidable admissions, especially during high-demand periods like winter
• Facilitates earlier discharge, creating flow in acute and elective pathways
• Supports elective recovery, particularly for patients needing pre- or post-operative IV treatment
• Frees ambulatory day care capacity, where patients might otherwise attend for routine IV administration
• Reducing need for bank and agency staff for escalation during winter pressures
• Preventing corridor beds, improving patient flow
• Reduces risk of hospital acquired infections which then means patients reside in hospital longer, possibly requiring additional medication, adding cost
• Supports manageable workload for Trusts’ clinical staff

By shifting appropriate care into the community, HomeLink Healthcare helps trusts protect hospital capacity for those who need it most, while delivering care that is safe, effective and patient-focused.

Why patients prefer home-based IV Therapy

Patients overwhelmingly prefer to receive IV treatments at home, where they feel more comfortable, less stressed, and more in control of their recovery. Home-based care avoids the need to travel and associated costs such as parking, reduces risk of hospital-acquired infections, and improves experience and satisfaction.

Patients benefit from more independence by staying out of hospital and can be treated with IV therapy during their working hours, even in their places of work. They can return to a normal way of life not being in hospital, which reduces the risk of : on average patients reported that their anxiety/depression reduced by 15% from when they were transferred onto our service from hospital vs when they were discharged from our service.