We live in the information age. Technology has advanced at a rapid pace in the last 75 years and nowhere more than in healthcare. Advancements in information and communication technology, electronics and biotechnology have elevated patient care and patient access higher than ever. In recognition of National Technology Day, let’s take a look at some of the ways modern technology has improved the lives of our infusion patients and how we care for them.

Patient Surveys

Digital communication is so widespread throughout our culture that it can be easy to forget that technology is still very young. As recently as 25 years ago, only 36 million people worldwide were active internet users. That same year (1996), text messaging on consumer-level cellular networks was less than two years old.

In the short time since, most of us have become accustomed to instant communication and connectedness, which has real healthcare and customer service benefits. Our patients have the opportunity to complete a quick online survey after their home infusion or infusion center appointments, which lets us know how their experience went. Many of our patients use this opportunity to tell us how much they love their infusion team, but it also helps us know when there’s something we could be doing better.

24/7 real-time helplines

Undergoing infusion treatment, especially for new patients, can seem intimidating at first. Even patients who have been part of the Paragon family for some time may feel unsure about a new prescription or new dosage. Our home infusion patients enjoy the benefit of phone access to our experienced clinical staff 24/7.

Lightweight, portable home infusion pumps

Most of our home infusion patients use portable pumps. These devices deliver medicine at a steady rate. Some are electronic and controlled by a small onboard computer and some function mechanically. These pumps are remarkable in that many models are small enough to carry in a backpack or waist pack. Patients using them often find that the portable pumps can enable a more active and stress-free lifestyle even while receiving the life-giving medication infusions they need.

Infusing medication at home using a portable pump does require some patient participation in managing their equipment, which some patients can find intimidating at first. Our home infusion patients are assisted by a team of home health nurses who will make sure the patient or their caregiver is comfortable with the processes of caring for their pump and administering medicine before they’re expected to function on their own.

Pharmaceutical innovations

It can be easy to forget that the development of new medicines is a form of technology. No wires, electricity or microchips are involved, but new medications are the result of countless hours of research, bio- and chemical engineering and creativity.

Paragon Healthcare provides several different therapies that were developed in the last few decades, including medications like Ocrevus, Tepezza, Remicade, Radicava and Aduhelm. Many of the more recently developed drugs like these are designed to treat conditions that have very few treatment options, like Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Crohn’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease. Our specialty and home infusion pharmacists actively explore new medications that are undergoing the FDA approval process, in hopes that newly developed and approved therapies might be suited for patients we serve.

Technological advancement in healthcare has incredible potential to improve people’s lives, perhaps more than in any other field. Paragon Healthcare makes every decision with our patient’s needs as our first consideration. As such, Paragon is deeply committed to remaining on the cutting edge of technological innovation, adapting and improving our treatments and customer service as much as possible.

If you want an infusion provider that is proud to stay on the cutting edge of healthcare technology, let your doctor know you want to join the Paragon family. We’ll handle the entire referral process and contact you directly for more information and to meet you personally.