Intraspinal Drug Delivery Reservoir Refill Procedure by Non-Physician Clinicians: A Nation-Wide Survey of Training, Pocket Fill Experience, and Life-Long Learning Behaviors
Intraspinal drug delivery (IDD) is a safe and efficacious method used to deliver medications for the treatment of chronic neurologic disease that requires periodic reservoir refills that can place patients at risk for a rare, accidental but potentially life-threatening, pocket fill. In the United States (US), non-physician clinicians perform this procedure. This study reports the results of a nationwide survey completed by 65 non-physician clinicians, obtained through social media, who performed the reservoir refill procedure. The results of the survey showed no standardized training was used, lack of attention to existing clinical practice guidelines in the training given, lack of supervision and mentoring for inexperienced clinicians, an unexpected number of pocket fills, and limited participation in professional meetings where intraspinal therapy is discussed. Suggestions for improvement are given
