Dobutamine therapy in the home

Abstract

Escalating costs of health care and the realization that home care is an alternative to hospitaliza tion has resulted in an increase in patients receiving home intravenous (IV) therapy. At St. Elizabeth Home Infusion, Dayton, Ohio, stage III or IV congestive heart failure (CHF) patients must be stabilized on dobutamine prior to acceptance. Dobutamine therapy in the home causes less interruption in the patient's lifestyle and provides convenience for the patient with CHF at a decreased cost of treatment. Although patient survival may not be prolonged, quality of life may be improved, and the number of hospitalizations are reduced. Key words: dobutamine, heart failure, inotropic, intermittent therapy