Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Intrathecal Pump?
An intrathecal pump is a medical device that is surgically implanted in a patient's abdomen, with a catheter (small tube) running from the pump and surgically fixed to the intrathecal space around the spinal cord. The pump has a small reservoir that holds a prescribed medication that is infused very slowly through the catheter to control spasticity and/or pain. The dose is determined by a doctor and then the pump is programmed to dispense that amount by a trained professional. The medication in the pump needs to be replenished regularly to control the patient’s condition. The frequency of the refilling is determined by several factors; namely, the size of the pump’s reservoir, the concentration of the medication and the rate the medication is being pumped through the catheter.

What is Intrathecal drug delivery and why is it beneficial?
Intrathecal drug delivery places medication directly into the area that surrounds the spinal cord. Intrathecal delivery of medication allows for lower dosing of drugs than would be needed orally or subcutaneously (under the skin) by delivering the medication directly to where it is needed. This delivery method allows small doses of highly concentrated medication to be delivered directly into the intrathecal space thereby minimizing side effects and maximizing effectiveness. The medication does not enter the blood stream and is very beneficial for patients with difficult to control chronic conditions.

Who performs the refill of the pump?
Most patients are forced to go to their doctor’s office or hospital for routine refills because there are very few companies qualified to provide this service in the home. Pentec Health is the exception to the rule. Pentec Health has a team of highly trained nurses that have years of experience caring for patients with implanted pumps in the comfort of their home. We utilize a primary care nursing model to ensure continuity of care and allow the patient to develop a long-term relationship with their nurse.

Is in-home care right for me?
Regardless of why you have an implanted pump, if you are experiencing difficulty accessing your doctor’s office or hospital on a regular basis for your refills, in-home care is an attractive option for you. Patients experiencing physical discomfort with transportation, living long distances from the doctor’s office, requiring frequent refills of their pump or having caregiver support issues, all benefit immensely from the convenience of Pentec Health’s in-home nursing service. We don’t replace your doctor; rather, we act as an in-home extension of your doctor’s office.

How do I sign up for Pentec Health’s in-home nursing service?
You should discuss your situation with your doctor. If your doctor agrees that in-home care is appropriate for you, he/she will refer you to Pentec Health. Once that is done, our team will contact your doctor to obtain the necessary medical information and your insurance company to determine your coverage for in-home care. When we have all the information we need and have secured coverage from your health plan, we will assign a primary care nurse to you and contact your doctor and you to determine a convenient date to begin serving you at home.

What can I expect on the initial visit from my Pentec Health nurse?
We’ll call you a day or 2 before the scheduled appointment to confirm that the day and time still work for you. You can expect your Pentec Health nurse to arrive at your home within 30 minutes of the agreed upon time. There are some admission forms for you to sign and the nurse will explain the entire refill process to you. The initial visit will last about 2 hours.

A complete medical history and medication profile will be done along with a physical examination that includes a pain or spasticity assessment. Your nurse will have all the necessary equipment and medication with them and will perform your refill and give you a copy of the telemetry printout for you to keep. You’ll be given the emergency contact information so you can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Before leaving, the two of you can decide on a convenient date for your next visit.

What can I expect during routine visits from my Pentec Health nurse?
We’ll call you a day or 2 before the scheduled appointment to confirm that the day and time still work for you. Your nurse will arrive within 30 minutes of the agreed upon time with all the necessary equipment and medication to perform the refill.

Your nurse is there for you, so take full advantage of their expertise. He/she will help facilitate a discussion about how you are feeling and discuss any changes since the last visit. They’ll take your vital signs and do a head-to-toe assessment of your bodily functions to uncover any issues you may be having, related to the pump or otherwise. If your doctor ordered any changes to your pump medication(s) we’ll review that with you before performing the refill. Once everything has been covered, your nurse will perform the refill. You will always be given a copy of your telemetry printout to keep with you in case of emergency. Before leaving, the two of you can decide on a convenient date for your next visit.

How do I get help if I have any problems?
Pentec Health maintains 24/7 access to nursing and pharmacy to address any issues. You can call us first with any concerns you have. We’ll reach out to your doctor immediately if you’d like or if the problem you are having is beyond our ability to help. Pentec Health has over 10 years experience with all kinds of situations, so chances are good that we can help immediately.

Can a combination of drugs go in the pump?
Yes, some drugs can be combined together in the intrathecal pump. For example, if your doctor decides that you would benefit from a combination of pain and spasticity medications, our specialty pharmacy would work with your doctor to determine what was best for you.

How do I know if my insurance will pay for your in-home service?
Once you and your doctor decide that our in-home nursing service is right for you, our team of reimbursement specialists will work with your insurance company to determine your level of coverage. We will contact you with the information from your health plan and explain the coverage and your out-of-pocket costs before we start caring for you at home. Pentec Health contracts with many health plans and insurance companies, but there are many different health plan designs and levels of coverage to consider. Medicare and Medicaid are particularly restrictive on what is covered at home. You will have the final say, but if you can’t afford your portion of the bill, we may be able to help.