Transforming cancer care: Expanding home infusion access for blinatumomab therapy
Authors: Benjamin Andrick, Ron Zsido and Nichole Varela-Gonzalez
Over the past year, the health system continued to advance cancer care delivery by expanding access to high-acuity therapies in the home setting. Among the most impactful initiatives was the development and implementation of a coordinated home infusion program for blinatumomab, a continuous infusion therapy used to treat adult and pediatric patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This program reflects a strong commitment to patient-centered care, operational excellence, and health equity, particularly for individuals living in rural and underserved communities.
Blinatumomab requires continuous 28-day infusion cycles, which have traditionally been administered in inpatient or outpatient clinic settings. The extended duration of therapy presents significant challenges to accessibility, especially for patients residing in remote areas. These challenges include travel burdens, limited availability of infusion chairs, and fragmented care coordination. In response to these barriers, the Hematology Oncology Pharmacy and Home Infusion Services teams collaborated to design an integrated home infusion model that delivers this critical therapy directly to patients’ homes, thereby reducing logistical obstacles and improving continuity of care.
The program was built on a foundation of interdisciplinary collaboration, with structured workflows embedded into Epic and Beacon protocols to ensure clinical safety, operational transparency, and seamless care coordination. The model includes pre-admission planning for therapy initiation and inpatient monitoring, followed by patient and caregiver education on pump operation and infusion bag changes. Supplies are delivered directly to the home, and patients have access to 24/7 clinic support for any pump-related concerns. Subsequent therapy cycles follow standardized workflows that eliminate the need for unnecessary hospitalizations. The integration of the Epic Home Infusion Module in December 2024 further enhanced visibility for the Hematology Oncology team and streamlined documentation processes.
This approach not only reduced the frequency of clinic visits but also made sure prescriptions remained in the health system, supporting continuity of care and financial stewardship. The program’s measurable impact has been significant. Clinic visits for infusion bag changes decreased from 129 in 2023 to 44 in 2024. Following the Epic integration, only 1 clinic visit was recorded between January and July 2025.
Patients reported improved experiences, citing reduced travel time and increased comfort during treatment. Medication capture also improved, minimizing prescription leakage to external providers. The program successfully provided equitable access to therapy for pediatric and adult patients, regardless of geographic location.
