After introduction of reimbursement of the cost of infliximab for the treatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA),¹ several hospitals had insufficient capacity at their hospital’s day care centre to administer the drug. Therefore, we explored the possibility of administering infliximab in an extramural setting supervised by a rheumatology specialist nurse (RSN).

A vacant room in a nursing home 5 km from the hospital was prepared as the infusion facility. Two nurses and the nursing home physician were given details of the clinical aspects of RA, with emphasis on treatment with infliximab. The hospital infliximab protocol, including the screening before each infusion, the preparation and administration of infliximab, and the safety procedure, was adapted. A form to guarantee communication between the hospital and the extramural setting was developed. Arrangements with the hospital pharmacy were made to assure punctual delivery of the exact number …