Health economic analysis of the burden of infusion reactions on patients, caregivers, and providers.

The cost and efficiency of medical care is an ongoing issue that has a particular effect on patients and caregivers within the community oncology setting. Monoclonal antibody (MoAb) therapy has proven to be effective in the treatment of cancer patients. Although MoAbs are associated with minimal toxicity, they can cause infusion reactions (IRs) in some patients. Managing these infusion reactions leads to an increased burden on patients, caregivers, and providers. Health economic models can quantify the burden that MoAb-induced IRs have on the patient and can help identify ways to maximize the efficiency of providing quality health care. This review identifies the specific burden, including tasks and associated costs, that IRs have on the patient and caregivers, and discusses the importance of using this information to help manage IRs. Nurses are often the first to respond when an IR occurs and the particular impact IRs have on nurses is reviewed. Patients, caregivers, and providers should be aware of the potential burden that MoAb-induced IRs can have on a patient and use this information to help guide clinical decisions.