As a leading healthcare provider, we recognize our role and our responsibility to protect the health and safety of our patients, customers, team members and community. Option Care Health is mandating all leaders be fully vaccinated by September 30, 2021 and all patient and customer-facing team members be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021.

“Our mission is to transform healthcare while delivering hope to our patients and their families,” said John Rademacher, Chief Executive Officer. “We believe our single largest contribution to eradicating COVID-19 is through vaccination. By receiving the vaccine, we are becoming a part of the solution. Each one of us at Option Care Health plays a critical role in our purpose of providing extraordinary care that changes lives.”

Option Care Health complies with applicable federal, state and local laws and will evaluate exceptions to the vaccine requirement due to a medical condition or strongly held religious beliefs.

BATON ROUGE, La., and BANNOCKBURN, Ill., Jan. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amedisys, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMED), a leading provider of home health, hospice and personal care, and Option Care Health Inc. (NASDAQ: OPCH), the nation’s largest independent home and alternate site infusion services provider, are collaborating on providing COVID antibody infusion therapy within skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, collectively referred to as “long term care facilities.” The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) to both Eli Lilly and Regeneron for their investigational neutralizing antibody therapies to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatrics who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 symptoms or hospitalization.

On December 8, 2020, the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) announced it had launched a pilot program with Operation Warp Speed and the department of Health and Human Services to expand access to Bamlanivimab for COVID-19-positive eligible patients residing in long-term care facilities. As an active member of the NHIA, Option Care Health agreed to participate in the pilot program to help service this vulnerable population.

Through the collaboration, which will initially be piloted in Indianapolis and Valparaiso, Indiana markets, with potential to scale to other markets, as appropriate, Amedisys and Option Care Health will coordinate to expeditiously provide care to long-term care facility residents. This innovative service model draws on the strengths and capabilities of both organizations and leverages clinical resources in the most efficient way to ensure expanded access to this difficult-to-serve population. Through its Hospice division, Amedisys will oversee the on-site care coordination for residents through their expansive clinical team. Option Care Health will leverage its pharmacy network operations to provide critical clinical pharmacy oversight and will distribute Bamlanivimab through its national network of pharmacies.

John Rademacher, Chief Executive Officer of Option Care Health, stated, “We are proud to collaborate with Amedisys, a leader in home health and hospice services, along with NHIA and leaders of Operation Warp Speed, to expand access to vital therapies for one of the most vulnerable populations. Combining the extraordinary capabilities of two industry leaders to solve a critical healthcare challenge is truly humbling.”   

“We have experience from being on the frontlines and caring for more than 12,500 COVID 19-positive patients,” stated Paul Kusserow, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amedisys. “We know how important innovative solutions are for caring for those who need our services the most, and this is exactly the type of partnerships in which Amedisys wants to be involved to help our country make it through this pandemic. We’re extremely honored to play our part alongside Option Care Health, NHIA and Operation Warp Speed.”

About Amedisys

Amedisys, Inc. is a leading healthcare at home company delivering personalized home health, hospice and personal care. Amedisys is focused on delivering the care that is best for our patients, whether that is home-based personal care; recovery and rehabilitation after an operation or injury; care focused on empowering them to manage a chronic disease; or hospice care at the end of life. More than 2,600 hospitals and 67,000 physicians nationwide have chosen Amedisys as a partner in post-acute care. Founded in 1982, headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA with an executive office in Nashville, Tenn., Amedisys is a publicly held company. With 21,000 employees in 514 care centers within 39 states and the District of Columbia, Amedisys is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of care to the doorsteps of more than 415,000 patients and clients in need every year. For more information about the Company, please visit: www.amedisys.com.

关于 Option Care Health

Option Care Health is the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate site infusion services. With over 5,000 teammates, including approximately 2,900 clinicians, we work compassionately to elevate standards of care for patients with acute and chronic conditions in all 50 states. Through our clinical leadership, expertise and national scale, Option Care Health is reimagining the infusion care experience for patients, customers and teammates.

Forward-Looking Statements:
When included in this press release, words like “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “may,” “might,” “would,” “should,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described therein. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”), including the measures that have been and may be taken by governmental authorities to mitigate it, on our business, financial condition and results of operations, changes in or our failure to comply with existing federal and state laws or regulations or the inability to comply with new government regulations on a timely basis, changes in Medicare and other medical payment levels, our ability to open care centers, acquire additional care centers and integrate and operate these care centers effectively, competition in the healthcare industry, changes in the case mix of patients and payment methodologies, changes in estimates and judgments associated with critical accounting policies, our ability to maintain or establish new patient referral sources, our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, our ability to keep our patients and employees safe, changes in payments and covered services by federal and state governments, future cost containment initiatives undertaken by third-party payors, our access to financing, our ability to meet debt service requirements and comply with covenants in debt agreements, business disruptions due to natural disasters or acts of terrorism, widespread protest or civil unrest, our ability to integrate, manage and keep our information systems secure, our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, and changes in law or developments with respect to any litigation relating to the Company, including various other matters, many of which are beyond our control.

Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on any forward-looking statement as a prediction of future events. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking and we do not intend to release publicly any updates or changes in our expectations concerning the forward-looking statements or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any forward-looking statement may be based, except as required by law.

For Investor Inquiries:
Bob East, Asher Dewhurst, Jordan Kohnstam
Westwicke
443-213-0500
optioncarehealth@westwicke.com 

35 岁的 Cambria Hooven 经常患肺炎、支气管炎和其他严重感染，她很少与人接触，也很少出门。在最终了解到她近乎持续生病的原因是由于普通变异性免疫缺陷病 (CVID) 导致免疫系统衰弱后，她开始通过 Option Care Health 在家中接受静脉注射免疫球蛋白 (IVIG)。她有更多的自由去参加社交活动，但后来新冠疫情爆发。

由于 Cambria 害怕冒险让访客到她家，因此她的 Option Care Health 护士 Kola 制定了一个计划。他建议她到他工作的 Option Care Health 兰霍恩市输液室接受治疗，那里离她在费城的家有 35 分钟的车程。

“我很紧张，因为我在这次疫情期间哪里都不敢去，所以他在我第一次预约前给我发了一个输液室的视频，向我展示了一切，并确切告诉我该进什么门。”Cambria 说道，回想起来时热泪盈眶。“Kola 两年来一直是我的护士，他对我来说就像家人一样。我不知道我的生活中要是没有他该怎么办！”

现在，她在一个干净且经过消毒的房间里接受每月四小时的治疗，房间内配备有舒适的躺椅和大窗户。由于在疫情期间其他时候她都会待在家里，因此她非常享受每月一次的输液治疗。“这是一个小小的休养中心。”Cambria 说道。

Cambria 最终得到诊断并接受了治疗，让她如释重负。多年来，她接连求医，试图弄清楚为什么她总是生病。八年前，她切除了阑尾，得了严重的血液感染，在医院住了 33 天，不知道自己能否活下来。为了弄清自己的问题，她毅然辞去了儿童福利社工的工作，接受了一项又一项的检测。

最后她找到了一名免疫专家，诊断出她的病情并开出了 IVIG 处方。结果，此后她没有住过院。起初，她在家中开始自我输液，但并不适应。Option Care Health 推荐了一名护士到她家提供输液服务，就这样她认识了 Kola。

现在她正在接受治疗，Cambria 感觉更健康了，而且可以远程从事社工工作，经常在兰霍恩市输液室工作。

“我知道如何保持安全，我在 Option Care Health 获得的治疗帮助了我，所以我不必生活在恐惧和孤独中。我可以安全地外出远足和背包旅行。”她说。“去兰霍恩市输液室真是太好了，那里安全干净，我非常尊重护士和他们的家属。他们体贴入微。”

随着新冠肺炎大流行继续改变基于家庭的护理行业，各机构为成功实现基于价值的护理模式而进行的变革已变得更加紧迫。创新技术对于优先考虑基于价值的数据以及无缝过渡到低成本护理环境至关重要。

出于经济和安全两方面的考虑，家庭护理在使老年人或免疫功能低下的患者的风险最小化方面发挥着越来越重要的作用，尤其是对于那些依赖于输注药物疗法治疗复杂慢性病症的患者。由于新冠肺炎大流行和对卫生系统环境中接触风险的担忧增加，医院系统的能力变得分散，因此让人们呆在舒适的家中的必要性比以往任何时候都更大。

这就是家庭输液疗法如此有吸引力的原因。

家庭输液有很多好处，但也面临着新冠肺炎带来的一系列新挑战。采用灵活、可扩展的技术是该解决方案的重要组成部分，用以支持面对面和虚拟操作，并建立不受新冠肺炎大流行影响的新流程。

凭借其所需的设备组合、复杂的治疗管理以及众多医疗服务提供者之间的临床协调，家庭输液在数据跟踪和运营效率方面遇到了压力。为了应对这些挑战，家庭和备选站点输液提供商需要一个基于云的移动软件平台，提供实时通信，并与其他系统无缝集成，为用户提供单点访问权限。

基于云的家庭医疗保健软件提供商 AlayaCare 的创始人兼首席执行官 Adrian Schauer 表示：“随着家庭输液需求的增长，确保患者安全和提供高质量护理将成为一个重点。”

在新冠肺炎大流行期间，基于云的技术带给家庭和备选站点输液治疗带来以下五个好处。

提供易于使用的技术

 对于 Option Care Health 来说，与 AlayaCare 的合作伙伴关系正是医生的要求。其主要优势之一是技术易用，这对于习惯使用纸笔的护理团队是一个关键卖点。

Option Care Health 护理副总裁 Joan Couden 说：“我们需要一种易于采用的解决方案，帮助我们轻松迁移到虚拟环境，满足日益增长的数据需求。IT 匹配对我们来说非常重要。我们选择的解决方案必须适合我们的其他系统并能满足临床需求。”

加强护士与药剂师的沟通与协作

 护士和药剂师之间的良好关系对于优化家庭输液效果十分重要。药剂师必须了解护理过程中发生的一切，而护士则必须清楚病人的所有口服药物以及药房配制和分配药物的情况。

Couden 说，在与 AlayaCare 合作之前，Option Care Health 通过人工流程来维持护士与药剂师之间的合作，这种人工流程“不是最优选择”。

取而代之的是，基于云的技术从护士到药房或从药房到护士近实时更新护理计划。更改用药或患者对药物的反应会立即传送出去。

Schauer 说：“现在，急性后期护理提供商必须将人工业务流程自动化，以确保高质量的护理，否则就有可能错过盈利增长的机会。”

 无论环境如何，都能提供一致的护理

 在当今这个流动性较强且新冠肺炎大流行和基于价值的世界中，人们欢迎低成本环境中的护理，在病人家中提供护理的能力极有价值，并且这对于护理效果和最终盈利都有多重好处。

但是，家中并不是我们提供输液服务的唯一场所。病人也可以在输液室接受治疗。基于云的技术可提供跨环境的连续性护理，以确保无论环境如何，护理质量都是相同的。

“在远程、移动的临床环境中存在很多挑战。AlayaCare 平台可以灵活、动态地适应家庭输液的传统运作方式和今天的变化，”Option Care Health 首席信息官 Brett Michalak 说。“每个人都可以专注于病人的临床护理，而不是底层的技术。这意味着通过这种合作伙伴关系可以极大地提高患者体验和治疗效果。”

Couden 补充说：“这项技术使我们能够专注于以最有效的方式提供护理。我们只需单击一下按钮，就可以确保为患者找到合适的护士，从而缩短出行时间并增加面对患者的时间。”

推进向远程医疗的转变

尽管此技术在新冠肺炎大流行之前就具有很大价值，但在大流行期间 Option Care Health 看到了其价值的巨大提升。基于云的技术为这一转变提供支持，这一转变在未来几个月可能会继续深化。

Couden 说：“新冠肺炎大流行让我们以不同方式看待我们所做的每一件事。当我们与 AlayaCare 一起开始这一旅程时，如果有人问我，'远程医疗是我们现在必须要做的事情吗？'我可能会说不是。但是，通过与 AlayaCare 和我们的临床团队合作伙伴关系，我们能够快速、顺利地部署虚拟解决方案，这些解决方案确实每次都能真正改变患者的生活。我相信，这是现在和未来如何继续提供医疗服务的一个重要组成部分。”

易于集成，可快速部署

护理人员对新技术系统最关注的问题之一是工作流。他们会问，整合新技术需要多长时间？无论护理人员已使用哪种技术，AlayaCare 的答案几乎都是即时即可整合。

“AlayaCare 使我们能够快速部署这项技术，” Michalak 说。“在我看来，其他同类平台无法提供 AlayaCare 所能提供的集成功能。平台的集成功能使得人们能够快速采用。”

在新冠肺炎流行期间，对快速集成和简化协作的需求显然很高，当 Option Care 去年被并购时（新公司更名为 Option Care Health），AlayaCare 的技术也帮助该公司快速转向。

Michalak 说：“平台的敏捷性使我们能够灵活地适应护理环境中的任何变化。无论是并购还是新冠肺炎大流行，我们都能以最优方式调整和部署技术，使我们的临床医生能够专注于护理而非管理技术。易用性和可扩展性让我们的临床医生能够发挥出他们的最高水平。”

要详细了解 AlayaCare 如何帮助家庭输液业务，请立即访问 AlayaCare.com。

经 AISHealth.com 许可重新发布

随着众多医院对新冠疫情的关注，以及许多地区对居家令的强制要求，家庭输液比以往任何时候都更为重要。行业内已经出现了变化，目前的情况很可能导致家庭输液领域内出现永久性转变。

“如果您可以在家中输液，则需要在家中操作。”毕马威 (KPMG) 医疗保健与生命科学全国部门负责人 Ashraf Shehata 表示。“这是为了在近期内控制感染风险，许多家庭输液人选都属于高风险类别。从长远来看，主要由支付方推动，转向在最经济和最适合临床的环境下提供护理。”

Soleo Health 首席执行官 Drew Walk 说：“我们已经看到，由于疫情的相关原因，在某些市场中，一些疗法在家庭输液中的使用有所增加，在这些市场中，患者的护理站点正从急症护理或医院门诊环境转向家庭。我们还看到，由于卫生系统和医疗服务提供机构将与新冠肺炎无关的各种手术推后，其他治疗方法的数量也显著减少。”

Walk 告诉 AIS Health，虽然在家中使用药物的类型与疫情之前的药物相当一致，但他看到“在家庭中提供首次给药具有更广泛的机会，而这以前可能只会在受控环境中提供。”

“抗生素/抗病毒药物、疼痛管理、全肠外营养和[静脉注射免疫球蛋白]是目前最常见的家庭输液疗法，”Shehata 补充说，其他疗法也可以在家中施用，但“这取决于具体情况，如药物和患者的风险。”

Lee N. Newcomer Consulting LLC 的负责人医学博士 Lee Newcomer 表示，向家庭输液的转变“相对较小”，这样做的原因主要有两个：避免接触可能受到感染的人员，降低医院或诊所的间接成本。他说：“这种转变受到少数药物的限制，这些药物不需要医生近距离进行副作用管理。”

Option Care Health, Inc. 的首席运营官 Harriet Booker 表示：“Option Care Health 的商业模式是建立在全国性的配药药房网络基础上的，其目的是在患者需要的时候为他们提供护理——这通常意味着在患者出院后的几个小时内用配药药房的药物提供复杂的护理。疫情实际上并没有改变这一点，只不过我们需要确保我们做好准备，以满足不断变化的需求和转诊量的变化。”

她说，公司的标准运营流程‘’包括全面的网络和业务连续性计划，确保了其在全国范围内为患者提供持续可靠的输液药房和护理服务的能力，尤其是在此次疫情期间。这种实时敏捷性采用了加班、远程人员轮换和延长药房工作时间的方式来配制和施用重要药物。”

Option Care Health 一直在与医院合作，帮助他们“在新冠肺炎患者涌入之前或在他们需要的时候和站点腾出床位”，Booker 表示，包括确定可以在家中或输液室治疗的病症，以及协调对可能安全出院的患者的持续护理。

“我们的配药药房网络使我们能够为每位患者制定个性化的护理计划，提供定制的药物和用品，直接送到他们家中或在输液室中施用。”Booker 告诉 AIS Health。“我们的努力不仅为新冠肺炎患者腾出了床位，而且让输液患者安全、高效地进入更舒适的环境，甚至从一开始就避免了住院。”

部分服务已移至虚拟环境

该公司还将部分服务移至虚拟环境，其中包括“远程分诊、患者教育和教学、护士监督，以及协助计划出院者和患者”。Option Care Health 已将其 2,900 名输液护士和药房临床医生中的一部分人员重新分配到了纽约州、新泽西州和康涅狄格州等需求最大的地方。

在这种高度传染性的环境下，公司正在采取许多预防措施，以帮助员工和患者降低感染新冠肺炎的可能性。Booker 说：“我们严格遵守 CDC 的指导方针，并根据需要随时更新我们的计划、政策和指导方针，以确保员工和患者的安全，特别是在当前新冠疫情迅速变化的时期。我们每天召开例会以评估与新冠肺炎相关的新数据，并讨论如何相应调整我们的 PPE（个人防护装备）供应。由于我们遍及全美的网点以及与供应商的长期合作关系，我们有充足的个人防护用品供应，并持续监控其状况，以确保我们的员工拥有为患者提供安全治疗所需的一切。”

迁移至居家服务已准备到位

EB Rubinstein Associates 药学博士 Elan Rubinstein 指出，一些计划已经将某些疗法的管理转移到患者家中和医疗提供者的诊疗室，这比医院更具成本效益。Magellan Rx Management 的第 10 版《医疗药房趋势报告》发现，在 54 名支付方受访者中，39% 的受访者在 2019 年制定了强制性服务站点计划。在转入此类计划的成员中，有 34％ 转移到了家庭输液环境中。

Rubinstein 说：“使用在输液中或输液后不易产生严重副作用的药物，或者患者之前在输注这些药物时耐受或较易耐受的药物，这样就可以更多采用家庭输液。对于接受化疗的患者，转向家庭输液需要一种方法来管理疗效和评估实验室检测结果，以评估计划采用的药物疗法的安全性和适当性，并需要在输液前做出决定，是否更改剂量、更换药物、继续使用还是暂停使用。”

Innopiphany LLC 的首席经济学家兼管理负责人 Lisa Kennedy 博士指出，虽然 CMS 已经改变了一些支持家庭输液的政策，但“并非所有人都参与其中。”她指出，社区肿瘤联盟“已经对家庭输液提出了安全方面的担忧，主要是因为施行居家输液治疗的是缺乏培训的社区人员，而不是经过培训的肿瘤科护士。”

相反，美国国家家庭输液协会则“强烈支持家庭输液作为一项可行性选择，以确保患者安全。”Kennedy 表示。她还指出，美国临床肿瘤学会 (ASCO) 的指导方针称，医疗服务提供者应“考虑家庭输注化疗药物在医学上和后勤上是否对患者、医疗团队和照料者可行”。

她说，在这些指导方针中，“ASCO 在这里提出了关键挑战，即如何采用旨在一种环境中进行施用的系统、流程和资源，然后将其移至家庭环境中。由于新员工的培训、可用资源、旅行限制、保险和其他后勤保障，这种做法可能不可行，这意味着无法适当地进行扩展。因此，这实际上取决于中心的情况、地理位置和能力。”

患者可能喜欢其便利性

“今后将会有很多家庭输液的人选，有些客户/患者可能会喜欢在家中接受护理的便利服务。”Shehata 说道。《2020 年毕马威医疗保健和生命科学投资展望》所依据的调查中，投资者受访者“认为家庭医疗领域拥有良好机遇，而这项调查是在新冠疫情之前进行的。健康系统的负担将考验新的护理模式，并为包括输液在内的家庭医疗保健提供更多的可能性。”

可能提供备选护理模式

“家庭输液的使用还将取决于所用药物的性质和输注药物所需的时间——从半小时到 4 小时不等——以及任何特定的处理要求，”Shehata 说道，“这里可能会有引入备选护理模式的机遇。护士能否教会患者如何自我施药是一个重要方面。”

“然而，一些正在接受某些药物输液的患者需要跟踪生命体征，需要监测不良反应。”他继续说道。“一种选择是使用远程医疗和遥测技术远程跟踪患者的生命体征，以确保患者在接受输液时不会出现不良事件。另一个选择是，如果药物出现问题，需要几个小时的输液时间，施药的护士也可以给患者留一台手机以便打电话。在这些问题上，响应时间必须是可以接受的，并且临床风险必须适当。”

The New England Consulting Group 的管理合伙人兼负责人 Steven F. Robins 表示，尽管大多数输液仍将在医院和门诊等传统场所施用，但“一些慢性治疗将向家庭转移”，包括透析，他说这种转变在疫情之前就已经出现了。“但是，为了实现这一重大转变，需要在智能技术的集成方面进行改进，包括符合 HIPAA 标准的远程设备和患者监控的集成。必须记住，在新冠疫情危机期间，其中一些要求已经放宽了。”

Robins 告诉 AIS Health：“我们还希望看到由实验室或医疗服务提供者办公室执行的一些诊断程序转移到家庭环境中。这将得益于与智能手机集成的新兴技术的结合，以及提供者开始提供上门服务的选项，如移动成像站，这些设备从患者家中搬到另一名患者家中时可以轻松进行清洁。”

“基于门诊或输液中心的模式很好，但是它将需要多种方法来解决治疗的复杂性以及治疗的一致性。问题是，目前的模式是建立在健康系统的便捷性基础上，”Shehata 称，“这可能需要改变药品供应链，让药品在家中而不是在输液中心或医院交付，但这一过程由许多专业药房进行管理。送药到家还可以帮助交通不便的患者。在家中提供护理也可能具有改善药物依从性的最终效果。”

请通过 Jonathan Durrbeck (JDurrbeck@pcipr.com)、Kennedy (lisa.kennedy@innopiphany.com)、Newcomer (leenewcomer1@gmail.com) 联系 Booker，通过 Renee E. Paul (rep@necg.net)、Rubinstein (elan.b.rubinstein@gmail.com) 联系 Robinson，通过 Bill Borden (wborden@kpmg.com) 联系 Shehata，通过 Susan Turkell (sturkell@pairelations.com) 联系 Walk。
撰文：Angela Maas

输液护理提供者的临床专业知识和全国规模可确保在低风险环境下提供高质量的护理

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., April 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Option Care Health, Inc. (“Option Care Health”) (NASDAQ: OPCH), the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate site infusion services, is on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, working in collaboration with our nation’s hospitals and their clinical teams to ensure patients continue to receive vital care. Option Care Health provides essential infusion services that enable patients to transition home from the hospital sooner, freeing up beds for critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Serving patients in all 50 states, Option Care Health is easing the burden on strained health systems in critical markets. Physicians and patients rely on infusion therapies for a wide variety of acute and chronic needs, from nutrition support and immune disorders to infections and neurologic conditions. Option Care Health is a critical part of the pandemic response, developing unique solutions that safely transition patients requiring infusion therapy out of the hospital – flexing capacity by deploying and shifting resources where the need is the greatest and utilizing the more than 125 infusion sites it operates across the country.

“We are fighting this pandemic side by side with our health system partners, fully prepared and able to support the needs of their patients who can transition home to continue their therapy. Whether they are in pre-plan preparation or already at surge capacity in a pandemic hotspot, our team is responding quickly and effectively to meet their needs,” said Harriet Booker, Chief Operating Officer of Option Care Health. “We’re not missing a beat. If our partners need us to accommodate a 10 p.m. bedside discharge for a patient on IV antibiotics medication, transfer a rheumatoid arthritis patient from a hospital-based ambulatory care center or virtually discharge an immunocompromised patient to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, we’re where they need us to be.”

Option Care Health 全面的网络和业务连续性计划确保了其在全国范围内为患者提供持续可靠的输液药房和护理服务的能力。这种实时敏捷性采用了加班、远程人员轮换和延长药房工作时间的方式来配制和施用重要药物。此外，Option Care Health 能够将临床资源重新部署到最需要的城市。

Option Care Health has implemented rigorous protocols to ensure the safety of patients and staff working directly with its infectious disease experts and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. These measures include comprehensive training of employees, strict protocols for infection control at home and infusion suites, screening of staff and patients for COVID-19 symptoms, ongoing virus-specific updates and education and the use of personal protection equipment (PPE). Staff members can call an Option Care Health COVID-19 hotline 24/7 to address questions regarding their health or a patient’s health. 

“Infusion at home or an infusion suite is a safe and effective care setting that is even more vital during times of national emergency, such as the current COVID-19 crisis,” said John C. Rademacher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Option Care Health. “Our highly skilled team of healthcare professionals provide infusion services that deliver hope to patients and physicians by easing the burden on hospital inpatient census, while lowering the patient’s risk and ensuring they receive excellent care after they are discharged.”

Option Care Health’s clinical team, consisting of 2,900 nurses, dietitians and pharmacists, annually care for more than 220,000 patients of all ages. The Option Care Health clinical team elevates the infusion therapy experience through customized care plans specific to every patient. Experienced clinicians and nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to answer questions and provide support for patients, families and providers.

For more information on Option Care Health’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit  optioncarehealth.com/coronavirus.

About Option Care Health

Option Care Health is the nation’s largest independent provider of home and alternate site infusion services. With over 5,000 teammates, including 2,900 clinicians, we work compassionately to elevate standards of care for patients with acute and chronic conditions in all 50 states. Through our clinical leadership, expertise and national scale, Option Care Health is re-imagining the infusion care experience for patients, customers and employees. To learn more, please visit our website at OptionCareHealth.com.

How are you updating Option Care Health’s Highly Infectious Disease (HID) policy in light of the COVID-19 outbreak? 

Option Care Health has always had a robust emergency management plan and HID policy in place.  This policy outlines our response to all highly infectious diseases based on information provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Furthermore, we maintain a task force consisting of multiple clinical and operational leaders, which meets with our infectious disease consultant frequently to review and update our response plans related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we learn more about this unprecedented pandemic, our HID policy is being referenced, monitored and updated as needed. Components of the policy include:

• Identifies the responsibility for monitoring the CDC website as well as applicable state and federal resources related to the HID
• Describes the collaboration between departments required for an effective response and the necessity for counsel with an infectious disease medical consultant to ensure appropriate actions that protect staff, families, and patients.
• Promptly secures adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies
• Implements screening tools for risk stratification
• Includes up-to-date information regarding vaccines and any other preemptive treatment
• Outlines responsibility for fulfillment of required tasks
• Summarizes tracking for both patient and employee infections and identifies those responsible for reporting
• Defines patient management principles
• Explains management of human resources, including the allowance for flexible attendance and telecommuting
• Specifies required training both upon hire and annually at a minimum
• Addresses patient prioritization, handling new referrals, and implementation of an emergency plan
• Identifies respiratory hygiene, handwashing, standard, and droplet precautions
• Describes PPE use, order of donning and doffing as well as patient education regarding PPE and overall infection control
• Communicates about the central repository for questions and concerns during a HID outbreak (including pandemic) that is monitored by senior members of the clinical services department

Are you experiencing any service issues/shortage of nurses?

At this time, we are not experiencing any major service issues or shortage of nurses. We are constantly monitoring CDC and WHO information and will provide what is needed to promote the health and safety of our team members, while delivering needed care to the community based on CDC guidelines.

What are you doing to keep your nurses safe?

The health and safety of all employees is our top priority. Our infectious disease prevention plan calls for PPE and education of our team members and patients on the following:

• Preventive actions that have been suggested to help prevent the spread of the virus:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer)
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • Steer clear of crowds whenever possible
• Necessary PPE for our clinicians (including goggles, mask, and gowns if needed) in our cleanrooms as well as employees in contact with patients who have a HID
• Proper donning and doffing is vital to protect patients and employees
• Consider having the coughing/sneezing patient or caregiver wear a mask
• If an employee is sick, our HR policies are designed for additional PTO or remote work as needed
• Screening every patient in advance of a face to face encounter to identify patients with a potential risk and to ensure proper PPE is on hand for the visit

What are you doing to protect your patients?

The screening we do is intended to protect patients as well.

Prior to an infusion suite visit, patients additionally must complete an intake questionnaire before any appointment with an Option Care Health team member. Nurses and other care staff are using PPE in accordance with the CDC guidelines.

Above all, we want to assure you that we are taking active measures to help protect patients, our healthcare workers and employees from COVID-19.  Our infusion suite network across the United States can help protect healthier or immunocompromised patients from the impacted COVID-19 population.

How are you maintaining the safety of your infusion suites? 

Option Care Health follows HID and pandemic protocols for maintaining cleanliness of our infusion suites. On top of our infection prevention plans, we are also ensuring:

• Infusion suites will be re-stocked and cleaned on a frequent basis and will be maintained in a clean, patient-ready condition, at all times
• Manage patient flow into infusion suites by limiting points of entry to reduce foot traffic and maximize spacing
• Pre-screen patients by phone before their scheduled appointment and upon facility entry to minimize the chance for exposure
• Counter tops and work surfaces will remain clear of clutter and disinfected between each use, including prior to preparation of any medications or sterile supplies for patient use
• Patient and visitors’ chairs, diagnostic equipment, infusion room tables and non-disposable equipment used for patient care as well as all equipment used by a patient while in the treatment room, will be disinfected with an approved sanitizer (i.e. Sani wipes) between patients or when visibly soiled
• Waiting room chairs and floors in the infusion suite will be cleaned daily and after each patient visit
• Patient and guest restrooms shall be cleaned and disinfected weekly and after each use, if the individual has a known infection
• Additional cleaning precautions and procedures:
  • Differentiated disinfecting protocols implemented based on levels of facility exposure
  • CDC-approved cleaners for disinfection containing alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol
  • Staff wears disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and discards gloves after
  • Scheduling patients at alternating times when possible and ensuring a minimum of 6 feet of space between chairs during concurrent appointments

How do you plan to service patients in the event a pharmacy branch closes?

At Option Care Health, providing extraordinary care for our patients is at the center of everything we do – and this has never been more important than right now. As the nation’s largest infusion provider, Option Care Health is uniquely positioned to treat patients in all 50 states, due to our nationwide pharmacy network.

Each of our pharmacies has updated an emergency dispensing and compounding plan, which includes back up plans based on adequate staffing and appropriate licensure.  At least one back up compounding pharmacy has been identified for each existing site.  Our technology platforms and multi-state licenses will allow us to transfer prescriptions as needed in the event of a partial or complete shutdown of a particular pharmacy.

尊敬的 Option Care Health 患者和客户：

为我们的患者提供出色的护理是我们工作的核心，这从来没有像现在这样重要。随着新冠肺炎 (COVID-19) 局势的发展，请知悉，我们正积极监控美国疾病控制与预防中心的指导方针，并与传染病专家合作，以便我们继续提供护理，并确保患者和团队成员的安全。

保护患者和团队成员是我们的首要任务

作为全美最大的输液提供者，我们一直都有传染病预防计划，要求配备个人防护装备 (PPE)，并对团队成员和患者进行教育。这就是我们的工作。鉴于新冠疫情，我们扩大了计划，并调集了一个应急响应小组，每天开会审查美国疾病控制与预防中心以及全美各州和地方卫生部门报告的最新情况。由于形势瞬息万变，我们正在积极采取措施，让我们的团队成员和患者随时了解情况，并保护他们免受任何疾病传播的影响。

维持延续性护理

我们的供应链团队正在与全国各地的供应商合作，以确保我们为团队成员提供充足的患者护理和个人防护用品，以便我们维持延续性护理。这种情况可能会让我们的患者倍感压力，不知所措，其中很多患者患有急性和慢性病症。我们很庆幸能在患者家中和我们的备选输液室 (AIS) 的安全环境中治疗患者，从而减少在更多公共场所中面临的进一步风险。

我们希望您知道，在这一艰难的时期，我们在此为您服务。目前，我们仍继续接受和服务转诊患者，为患者提供护理。请继续查看我们的网站以及美国疾病控制与预防中心网站，以获取最新信息。

保重！
John Rademacher
总裁兼首席执行官

• As the nation’s largest infusion provider, we are uniquely positioned to treat patients in the safe environment of their own homes and our alternate infusion suites (AIS), which reduces their exposure to further risk in more public settings.
• We’ve always had an Infectious Disease Prevention Plan, which calls for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and education of our staff and patients. In light of the coronavirus outbreak, we are actively monitoring CDC guidelines and working with Infectious Disease experts and updating our plans, policies and guidelines as appropriate. We continue to accept and service referrals to care for patients.
• In the event of an employee exposure, including travel to countries that are determined by the CDC to be “Widespread Sustained (ongoing) Transmission,” we have asked employees to please alert Human Resources so that we can determine a go forward plan that may include staying home or working from home for at least 14 days upon their exposure or return from travel.
• Option Care Health 与我们的传染病专家合作，根据美国疾病控制与预防中心的指导方针，目前正在对所有新患者和现有患者进行面诊前的筛查。对于认定为处于风险中的患者（由于旅行或已知接触），注册护士将与患者和处方医生一起跟进后续的工作。
• We are providing updated education and information to our teams on an almost daily basis.
• Our Supply Chain team is working with our vendors to make sure that Option Care Health has adequate supplies available for both patient care and PPE for our employees to maintain continuity of care.