Sometimes a behavioral-health or substance-use treatment facility won’t allow people to give their own medication, even if they normally do it safely at home. In other cases, a person might not be ready to self-infuse right now because of their mental-health or substance-use situation.

If that’s the case, the facility will need help identifying a qualified person who can give the infusion or injection. Your bleeding disorder treatment team can work with the facility to figure out the best option based on state rules and facility policies.

Rules vary by state:

• Some states only allow licensed medical professionals (like nurses) to give infusions or injections.
  
  

• Others give facilities flexibility to decide who can safely administer medication.
  
  

Depending on the state and the facility’s policies, options may include:

• A nurse or provider on staff at the facility
  
  

• A nurse from another unit in the same healthcare system
  
  

• A contracted visiting nurse or outside provider who comes in to give the medication
  
  

• A trained family member or caregiver approved by the treatment team
  
  

• An outside provider (such as your bleeding disorder treatment team or a nearby hospital/urgent care) who administers the medication as needed
  
  

If there’s an emergency or unexpected bleed, the person may need to be temporarily transported to an urgent care center or emergency department for treatment.

Some facilities may need a “single-use case agreement” to let an outside nurse or provider come onsite to administer medication. If the facility initially says their license doesn’t allow this, your treatment team can help review the regulations to see if there’s flexibility or an exception.

As recovery continues, it may be possible for the person to gradually resume self-infusing or self-injecting under supervision if the facility and state allow. This helps rebuild confidence and supports independence after discharge.

Here are some examples you can use when talking with a facility about who can give the medication:

• “I understand your facility doesn’t permit self-infusions. My bleeding disorder treatment team can help you find a nurse or trained provider who can give the medication safely.”

• “My treatment team can explain what’s required for the infusion—it’s a straightforward process once you’ve seen it.”

• “If your staff aren’t trained to do infusions, my treatment team can arrange for a visiting nurse or other qualified provider to come in.”

• “Some facilities use a short ‘single-use case agreement’ to allow an outside provider to administer the medication. My treatment team can help with that paperwork if needed.”

• “If the policy allows, a trained family member or caregiver could also give the medication under your staff’s supervision.”

• “As treatment progresses, my goal is to get back to self-infusing before discharge if it’s safe and permitted. My treatment team can help plan for that.”

If you are a parent or caregiver, you could say:

• “I understand my child may not be able to self-infuse right now. Their treatment team can help identify who should give the medication and make sure it’s done correctly and safely.”

• “I typically administer my child’s infusions/ injections and if your facility would permit it, I would be happy to continue administering the medication while my child is in treatment.”

When talking with your bleeding disorder treatment team:

• Let them know if the facility says it cannot provide or permit infusions.

• Ask them to work directly with the facility to find a qualified provider and create a safe plan.

• If needed, ask them to help the facility check state regulations or licensing requirements.

Send the following to the facility:

• Coordination of Bleeding Disorder Medication Administration: Personalize this email template to work with facility staff on creating an acceptable medication administration plan.

• Single-use case agreement: This sample document can help facilities plan for an external provider to administer medication.