Innovators of Home Infusion: Michael Kirkbride

We are delighted to introduce Michael Kirkbride, Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer at Vital Care Infusion Services, as our next Innovator of Home Infusion! Kirkbride has had an extensive career in alternate site healthcare, particularly in home infusion, for more than three decades. He currently is the Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer at Vital Care Infusion Services and is a surveyor for the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).

Not only is he a part of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) committee for Quality and Standards, but he's also certified by the Health Care Compliance Association and holds his pharmacy license in twenty-two states! His educational background includes a BSc degree in Pharmacy from the University of Sciences in Philadelphia along with his Pharm D degree from Shenandoah University located in Winchester, Virginia.

How did you first get into the home infusion industry?

I started out in the late 1980’s with Baxter Travacare as a staff pharmacist.

How has the home infusion industry changed since you first started?

The technology involved in patient care and delivery, as well as the medications have changed since I first started. This includes how we deliver medications to home and ambulatory patients in suites. The regulations, accreditation, and greater government oversight has added to the complexity of furnishing high quality patient care. We have moved from being suppliers to being outcome-focused and data driven to deliver value and a greater quality of life for patients that require our services.

What is one thing you would change about the current state of home infusion?  Why? 

Payor carve outs. True payor carve outs eliminate patient choice, decrease competition, and lower the quality threshold.

What kind of an impact do you hope to have on the home infusion industry? 

Truly, to be an educator and mentor to those who are beginning the journey into home and specialty infusion. 

In what ways have the pioneers of home infusion strengthened the industry in your perspective and why?  

They have embraced change, and have been creative in their quest to find solutions for patients and families in order to comfort them and make their lives better. They did this because of the passion they have for our industry and patient care. 

How has NHIA guided your path to success? 

They have been a conduit of learning and exchange of ideas. They helped advance my knowledge, curiosity and networking abilities within the home infusion industry. 

What does being recognized as an NHIA Fellow mean to you? 

It's a humbling acknowledgement and recognition for all the hours spent on-call, serving patients. It's an exclamation point to my career. I have immense gratitude for all the teams I have worked with and mentors that have guided me to such a wonderful place in my career.

What advice would you give to yourself at age 18?

Life is short, create meaningful relationships (and listen to your parents!!)

If you had a superpower, what would you want it to be?

Going into the future; I am curious and so very impatient!

If you weren't in the home infusion industry, what would you be doing?

My friends know this story, but I applied to one college and one tech school.  Never heard from the tech school but got into the college.  Found out my Mom never mailed the application to the tech school for me to learn how to fix transmissions!

Biography:

Mike Kirkbride, Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer at Vital Care Infusion Services, has full responsibility for all compliance and ethics functions of the organization. Mike has over thirty years of healthcare experience in the alternate site space and specifically home infusion and has held a variety of leadership positions in clinical operations and regulatory compliance. 

Mike serves on the NHIA committee for Quality and Standards and has his certification in Healthcare Compliance from Health Care Compliance Association and holds his pharmacy license in twenty-two states.  He has a BSc degree in Pharmacy from the University of Sciences in Philadelphia and his Pharm D degree from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.