William Blouin

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement therapy: ensuring success.

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) infusions are an option for patients requiring immunoglobulin therapy. Nurses are uniquely positioned to advocate for patients and to teach them how to successfully manage their infusions. The purpose of this review is to describe SCIg therapy and to provide teaching instructions as well as creative tips to ensure treatment success.

Nursing guidelines for administration of immunoglobulin replacement therapy.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy, given as regular infusions of pooled human Ig, is the recognized treatment of humoral immunodeficiencies characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and impaired antibody responses. It is a safe, effective therapy when delivered by nurses who have been educated to oversee and/or provide these infusions. Guidelines for administration have been developed by the Immune Deficiency Foundation Nurse Advisory Committee to provide a framework and guidance to those nurses administering this therapy.

Anaphylaxis to Horses and Epinephrine Use-Increasing Awareness Among Pediatric Patients and Families

Pet allergens follow aeroallergens as a common cause of asthma and rhinitis in children (1,2). Specifically, cat and dog dander are typical triggers of these symptoms(1). However, high percent of patients with severe asthma can be sensitized to other mammals, such as horses and mice(3). This is not limited to occupational or rural areas where exposure to this animal is more prevalent. A high rate of sensitization to horses in people with no known direct exposure who live in urban areas is well documented(4). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.