Tift Regional Medical Center’s new Outpatient Infusion Center consolidates infusion therapies in one location for adult and pediatric patients requiring treatment for infections, sickle cell disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other diagnoses.

“Infusion therapy is a type of treatment in which medication is delivered directly into the body through a vein,” said Cara Goodwin, RN, nurse manager. “This type of therapy is used when oral therapy is not an option and the medication must be infused for maximum benefit. Infusions can take anywhere from two-to-12 hours to complete, depending on the type of treatment.”

Located on the third floor of Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) inside the Pediatrics Department, the new Outpatient Infusion Center is open 24-hours-day and offers therapies for adults and children such as blood transfusions, IVIG infusions, IV antibiotic infusions and IV iron infusions. Cancer chemotherapy is still administered at the TRMC Oncology Center, located at 1623 Madison Avenue.

“We decided to take on this project to have a more organized process and centralized location to enhance care for these patients,” said Goodwin.

A physician referral is required. “Patients can have their doctor’s office call TRMC Central Scheduling at 229-353-7899,” she said. “There is no time too early or too late that we cannot accommodate. We are excited to be offering this service for our community.”