Infusion Therapy Services at Prowers Medical Center is staffed by Alexandra Tate and Tracy Williams, both Registered Nurses. But what is infusion therapy, and why is it an essential service to have available for patients who live in the Lamar area? Let’s find out.

Q. What is infusion therapy?

A. Many prescription drugs are taken orally. This makes it simple for patients to take them at home. But some medications have to be infused. In other words, they come in liquid form that must be administered intravenously by a trained nurse.

Q. Why can’t all medications be taken by mouth?

A. Some drugs can’t be taken orally because they lose their effectiveness when exposed to stomach acids and the digestive system. Others, like some chemotherapies, must be given slowly, drip by drip, to be properly absorbed by the body.

Q. Does the infusion therapy department also provide other services?

A. Yes! Not all infusions are medications. Blood transfusions are sometimes necessary as part of treatment for cancer or hemophilia. And when a patient is severely dehydrated, hydration can be given intravenously to ensure adequate fluid and electrolyte balance.

In addition, some patients affected by gastrointestinal or kidney diseases, anemia or cancer receive iron infusions. It is common to give iron IV in those patients who don’t absorb iron via the GI tract. Tate and Williams also provide ancillary services, such as port flushing and PICC line dressing care as well as injections and education on medications and self-care. All services are administered in a clean, comfortable environment.

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“Patients who are new to the infusion department frequently compliment the quiet and comfortable ambience of our office, which is furnished with recliners, soft lighting, and television,” Tate said. “It’s rewarding making their visit as pleasurable as it can be.”

Q. Why is it important for infusion services to be available locally?

A. “Many of our patients’ treatments persist for extended periods of time and are administered as frequently as every week or more,” Tate said. “Our services are especially advantageous to patients who would otherwise have to travel hours away to receive their infusions at chemo centers or other specialty clinics.”

“The stress of travel can be avoided by having needed treatments here in Lamar. A new diagnosis and medication regimen is enough of a worry without adding on all the details that go with a long trip,” said Williams. “We want to make things as easy on our patients as possible.”

For Lamar-area residents, it’s important to know that the Prowers Medical Center Infusion Therapy department can administer almost any infusion or injection prescribed by any provider, whether the provider is part of Prowers Medical Center or not.

“We understand how difficult it can be for patients to have to travel for these services,” Tate said. “The convenience of our location is helpful in prevention of certain obstacles associated with traveling for treatment, such as weather, illness or financial burdens.”

Prowers Medical Center Infusion Therapy Services

Infusion services are available by appointment Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “We can take medication orders from any licensed provider,” Tate said. “Many local patients who see health care providers in bigger cities aren’t aware of this. We are happy to accept orders from these providers to accommodate our patients, so they don’t have to travel for infusions.”

Services Provided

• Blood transfusions

• Antibiotic therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Iron infusions

• Osteoporosis treatments

• Hydration therapy

• Injections

• Biological therapy medications for rheumatoid arthritis,

lupus, Crohn’s disease and other autoimmune disorders

• Port and PICC line maintenance

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 719-336-6743.