Services

The comprehensive medical services provided by the Center include:

• annual or biannual medical evaluations
• laboratory testing for hematology, chemistry, serologic, and virologic evaluation
• ongoing surveillance for transmissible viral infection, including HIV and hepatitis A, B, and C
• coagulation evaluation, including diagnosis and treatment
• evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic hemorrhages
• on-site physical therapy evaluation
• education and training for home treatment (self-infusion)
• assessment, education, and training of inhibitor patients regarding immune tolerance treatment
• evaluation and treatment of HIV-infected patients, including antiviral therapy, partner testing, and psychosocial counseling
• hepatitis screening, evaluation, viral testing, and treatment
• liver failure management, including pre- and post- transplantation management
• implementation of federal Maternal Child Health Bureau standards and criteria for treatment
• psychosocial services
• health care networking and referral
• education to patients and providers
• medical consultation to health care providers and patients locally and across the country
• access to medical treatment trials, including gene transfer and treatment for hepatitis and HIV.

For New Patients

The Center medical staff (physicians) take medical histories, review existing records, review home treatment records, perform physical examinations, provide HIV/AIDS management and evaluation, provide chronic hepatitis (A, B, C) management and evaluation, educate patients regarding outcomes, medications, blood products, treatment approaches including prophylaxis and immune tolerance, arrange treatment and follow-up for surgery and procedures, and in-hospital coverage during admissions. We explain to all patients the dosing and frequency of clotting factor products, risks and benefits of the products and the various treatment approaches. Our specialists perform evaluation of complex, complicated, or poorly responsive hemorrhages, both acute and chronic. We also provide a very active consultation service to local physicians for diagnosis and acute and chronic management of coagulation problems. As part of our services, we perform a genetic assessment on patient and family members, review results of genetic analysis with patients and families, counsel regarding carrier status and prenatal diagnosis. In addition, our physicians provide for a strong clinical research component, providing information, education, assessment, and enrollment on numerous safety and efficacy studies of new clotting factor concentrates, gene therapy for hemophilia, antiviral drugs for HIV and HCV, prospective epidemiologic studies of hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease complications, menorrhagia in women, inhibitor formation, and acquired hemophilia.

Psychosocial Services

Our psychosocial services complement our medical services and include full-service care. The Center psychosocial professionals provide on-site psychosocial evaluation and case-management services and provide patients with resources and referrals to community services. The psychosocial professionals serve as advocates for patients and families, consulting and providing in-service presentations at schools in Western PA. Education and counseling is made available to all hemophilia patients during acute care and comprehensive hemophilia clinics. Genetic counseling is offered to all patients and their families and assistance is provided for application for benefits and other financial programs. Psychosocial professionals also assess patients' vocational skills and needs, with referrals to community agencies that offer additional training and employment assistance.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy services at the Center include musculoskeletal assessments or assessing muscle strength, range of motion, swelling, posture, gait mechanics, and balance. We provide home exercise programs to address deficits in strength, motion, flexibility, and balance. Patients are educated on the use of R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) to help treat acute soft tissue bleeds. Where indicated, we recommend braces, supports, and assistive devices. As part of the program, information regarding risks versus benefits of specific sporting activities is reviewed and general wellness exercise programs are developed for each patient. Non-pharmacologic pain control interventions are also suggested.

Insurance

Understanding insurance coverage, premiums, co-pays, deductibles, and exclusions may be overwhelming. The HCWP staff is committed to advocating for patients' rights and ensuring that all patients receive appropriate, state-of-the-art care, and that third-party payers cover this care. Assistance is offered by the HCWP Insurance Specialist to help understand and work with insurance coverage, drug manufacturer's patient assistance programs, and the State Hemophilia Program.

Home Treatment

Both preventive (prophylaxis) and acute therapy may be done at home. Many patients and their families learn to do infusions at home. Home treatment has several advantages: These include immediate, undelayed treatment, fewer complications, fewer hospital admissions, no long ER waits, lower cost, and better quality of life.

A variety of factors determines the appropriateness of a home treatment regimen for a patient with a bleeding disorder. These factors include the specific disorder as well as the willingness and ability of patient and family members to take on treatment responsibilities.

The HCWP staff will educate patients and family members who qualify for the home treatment program and provide basic information on bleeding disorders and relevant strategies for home management. Discussion of home treatment options is part of the HCWP comprehensive care plan.

Click here to download a blank Home Treatment Record.
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