The Infusion Center at Parkland Health Center in Bonne Terre is celebrating its one-year anniversary. In the past, patients needing intravenous therapy treatment such as iron, hydration, antibiotics, injections such as Neupogen or Procrit, or maintenance of ports or catheters, have had to travel to a hospital or be hospitalized to receive treatment. They can now regain a sense of freedom and comfort by staying close to home and receiving their medication at Parkland's Infusion Center.

Chuck Raybern, Farmington, was one of the first patients to come to the center. Diagnosed with COPD and asthma, he had trouble staying active. After a year of receiving medications by injection two times per month, his life has changed for the better.
"Chuck is one of our many success stories," says Jennifer Robbs, RN, OCN.  "When Chuck first came here, he was so weak. He had a lot of breathing difficulty and really couldn't get around that well."

"I am fantastic compared to a year ago," says Raybern. "And I'm very satisfied with the services. Farris Jackson, MD, the nursing staff, and the medications have all been great. I can breathe better and now I can actually go and exercise."  Since he started at the Infusion Center, Raybern has completed a pulmonary rehabilitation program at the Huckstep Heart and Lung Center at Parkland Health Center in Farmington.  He continues to exercise there three times a week for an hour each visit.

"We see patients taking medications for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crones Disease and multiple sclerosis," says Robbs. They also see patients with blood disorders such as hemophilia. Patients requiring intravenous antibiotics can also come to the Infusion Center to receive their medications. Often if a patient decides to get their medication by injection, they don't have to receive the medications as often as if they were to take a pill.

"Some medications can be given by injection one time a year to replace taking a pill once a month," says Robbs.

Vicki Mayerhoffer, Infusion Center coordinator, greets and gets to know the patients and their families, as well as helps with scheduling appointments. She has met many new patients who are relieved to find out they can receive their treatment in the area.

"We have scheduled some patients that were driving all the way to St. Louis to get one shot and then turning around and driving back home. It's nice that we can provide the same thing to them here," says Mayerhoffer.

Infusion services are covered by Medicare and other insurances. For more information or to arrange for services, call 573.358.4665.