First Infusion Center outpatient After months of planning, Pocahontas Memorial Hospital’s Nursing Department proudly unveiled its new Infusion Center December 1 and welcomed its first outpatient. Susanne Rimm, of Arbovale, is thrilled to be able to now receive her critical saline IV therapies at PMH, rather than having to travel out of county. Rimm loves the new Center, not only because it is close by, but because of the ease of making appointments. Previously, she would have to schedule treatments through a larger hospital’s Day Surgery Unit. Even with an appointment, if the unit got busy with emergencies or surgeries, she would often have to wait one or two days to receive therapy. “At PMH, if I have to have treatment I could do it today if there’s space. That wasn’t even a possibility before,” Rimm said. Infusion Center services require the assistance of a nurse, but not the presence of a physician. Until now, community residents have had no choice but to travel to larger facilities in Greenbrier or Randolph counties to obtain such treatments. Someone visiting the Infusion Center does not have to be admitted or stay overnight, but simply registers as an outpatient to receive therapy. Some of the services available include: 1. IV therapies 2. Blood and medical transfusions 3. Wound care 4. Port flushes 5. Allergy injections 6. Cancer Adjunct therapies such as neulasta and neupogen 7. Routine medication injections 8. Dressing changes Rimm, a nurse, worked at PMH when she first moved to the county 12 years ago and she says that while many of the faces have changed, the smiles and the friendliness of our little county hospital are the same. “The Infusion Center is a great service – it’s wonderful that the people of Pocahontas County can use this,” she said. And the people of Pocahontas County are quickly taking advantage of the new Infusion Center. According to Ronda Shaw, Acute Care Coordinator, the center has served more than 20 patients in its first 11 days. Pocahontas Memorial Hospital is committed to excellence in delivering compassionate healthcare and promoting healthy lifestyles. Judging from Rimm’s experience, PMH is fulfilling that mission quite well. For referrals or more information about the Infusion Center, please contact Lori Riggsby or Ronda Shaw at 304-799-1303.
