Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IRT) is used to treat adults and children with immunodeficiencies. IRT is administered using intravenous (IVIg) or subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg). SCIg was not widely available in Australasia until 2013.
A need was identified for consistent, accurate and readily available SCIg education, plans and checklists. The aim is to provide sufficient patient and carer education, training and follow up, which is essential to ensure effective and safe home based SCIg therapy.
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) has developed SCIg resources since 2014, including ASCIA primary immunodeficiency (PID) e-training for health professionals.
An ASCIA working party was formed www.allergy.org.au/members/committees#wpai and members participated in two workshops (2017, 2018). Surveys of nurse specialists working with PID patients were conducted prior to the workshops to ascertain what resources should be developed or updated. Clinical consensus and published information have also guided resource development and updating.
Several new resources have been developed, including a guide for health professionals on setting up a SCIg service in a hospital, plans and patient education.
These are available on the ASCIA website www.immunodeficiencies.org.au
Sufficient patient education and training at the initiation of SCIg therapy, and follow up care is essential to ensure patient safety and effective delivery of home based SCIg therapy. ASCIA SCIg resources assist nurse specialists, clinical immunologists and other health professionals in educating and training patients. These resources provide consistent, accurate and readily available information, training, plans and checklists, that are regularly reviewed and updated.