Venous access device utilization in home care settings.

Home infusion therapy is the fastest growing segment of home care, yet little is known about the utilization of various venous access devices in the home. This study reports pioneering data from thirty seven hospital-based, community-based and home infusion pharmacy agencies across the country which provide home infusion therapy services. Venous access device utilization data for adults and children are compared and differences among agency types of home care providers are analyzed. Significant patient device utilization differences among different provider types and age groups are discussed in terms of their implications for clinicians, educators, policy makers and researchers.