Barbara Prosser
Home Infusion/Director of Clinical Services
The Home Infusion Industry is a relatively new field for pharmacy practice. The industry has evolved to meet the needs of the patient requiring infusion therapy without the need for hospitalization. The pharmacist practicing in the home industry arena is part of a larger healthcare team, which sets and executes the plan of care for the patient’s therapy at home. The team often includes, but is not limited to a pharmacist, home care nurse, physician and other healthcare providers such as dieticians, physical therapists and social workers. The pharmacist is often a front line decision maker as to the drug therapy to be administered, administration methods, infusion device choices, medication monitoring and treatment options. Nutritional support is rapidly becoming a specialty area for the home infusion pharmacists. The home care pharmacist must also be able to practice in an independent setting as part of the healthcare team.
Barbara plays a crucial role in the monitoring of the patients drug therapy. Information gathered by the home care nurse, patient interaction and by other healthcare providers in the home is used by Barbara to monitor the effectiveness of the patient’s drug therapy. She will share this information with each physician to closely monitor each patient’s progress. Barbara has knowledge in medication use, drug stabilities, compounding techniques and infusion devices
How They Got There
After receiving a Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy, Barbara started her career practicing in a hospital setting, gaining experience with IV drug administration and nutritional support. As the home infusion industry began to emerge as a career path for pharmacists, Barbara moved in to a position in home care. Joining Caremark as a staff pharmacist, the opportunity to be come a nutrition support specialist in TPN compounding was made available. Compounding TPN solutions through a customized process of using amino acid powders allowed TPN patients to receive complex therapies in the home setting. As the home infusion industry grew, JCAHO developed an accreditation program for the specialized practice setting. Becoming a JCAHO Homecare Surveyor in 1990, Barbara surveyed for better than 10 years as the industry matured and grew. Barbara also surveyed in the ambulatory setting. The experience proved to be invaluable in a still emerging practice setting. Today as Director of Clinical Services for Critical Care Systems of Nashua, NH Barbara sets clinical policy and procedure, staff development and clinical direction for a 30-branch national home infusion company. “Helping people make the best use of medicines” should be a tag line for home infusion, allowing people to function at home and in the community while receiving high tech therapies is a rewarding process.
Other Professional Activities
Throughout Barbara’s career she has authored may articles, newsletters, and served as a speaker. She is active in professional organizations such as American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, National Home Infusion Association, American Society or Parental and Eternal Nutrition and Intravenous Nursing Society. She current serves as Chair-elect of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists’ Section of Home, Ambulatory and Chronic Care Practitioners.
Advanced Training
To become a Home Infusion Pharmacist, you need have a Bachelor or Doctor of Pharmacy degree and experience in IV compounding. Specialty training or Board Certification in Nutrition Support is highly recommended.
Advice
Allowing the patient to remain functional during high tech therapies is extremely rewarding to both the patient and the practitioner. Flexibility and independent decision-making is key to the pharmacist working as part of a healthcare team.