For many of us, the week is busy from start to finish with work, keeping up with family and friends, cleaning, cooking, and finding the time to keep up on our physical health by maintaining a weekly exercise routine. For some, it can be even more challenging to complete the tasks on your to-do list when you require regular treatment through medical infusion services. At Summit Pacific Medical Center, they offer Outpatient Infusion Therapy Services.
They hope by providing Outpatient Infusion Therapy Services locally, they will aid in eliminating the extra travel time it takes patients to get their required treatment. “We want our community to prioritize their health and we want to help by making treatment appointments more convenient for patients’ schedules.” Beginning in early 2023, this service expanded its hours to offer open seven days a week to allow for more patients and greater scheduling availability. Making sure to take the time for your appointments and having a safe, reliable place to go is crucial for continued health and overall wellbeing.
![a person in a chair with a white blanket getting an IV infusion with a nurse sitting in front of her and one standing behind her](https://www.graysharbortalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Summit-Pacific-Medical-Center-Grays-Infusion-Services-hospital-1024x683.jpg)
Compassionate Infusion Care in Grays Harbor
The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) explains that, “Diseases commonly requiring home and specialty infusion therapy include infections, gastrointestinal diseases and disorders, dehydration, congestive heart failure, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, immune deficiencies, neurological disorders and more.” Their studies show that between 2008 and 2019, the need has increased 300% to more than 3 million Americans.
At Summit Pacific Medical Center, their infusion team welcomes all provider-referred patients and even offers convenient weekend timeslots. Though new to the team, Manager of Outpatient Procedure Services, Lora Moore, is excited to be working with infusion therapy and excited to be able to offer this service to the community. “What makes the infusion team special is that they genuinely care about their patients and supporting their needs. We are excited to offer this service seven days a week to our community,” Moore adds.
![arm of a person getting an IV put in by a nurse](https://www.graysharbortalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Summit-Pacific-Medical-Center-Gray-Infusion-Services--1024x968.jpg)
Summit Pacific Medical Center’s Infusion Team Works for You
Moore explains that since early 2023, they have increased appointments to seven days a week. This opens up additional appointment times and will increase the number of patients they’re able to see.
Outpatient Infusion RN, Miranda Shumate, has been a nurse for 28 years and brings her IV therapy background to the team. “I truly enjoy the job, but I really enjoy the patients,” she says. She is excited about switching to everyday service. “In the short time that I have been in the role as infusion nurse, the service has grown considerably. I’m very excited to be able to introduce new medications and services to the community.”
Infusion Services in Grays Harbor on Your Schedule
Shumate explains that the most common type of patients they see are those who require IV antibiotics after hospital discharge so they can complete their course of intravenous medication. They also have regulars with chronic conditions requiring long-term infusion therapy, provide phlebotomy services, immunotherapy and allergy injections, and help those needing IV hydration or blood transfusions. The team takes patients referred by all providers, internally and externally. Patients might visit daily, weekly, monthly or on an as-needed basis determined by their care team and regimen.
![close up of a hand on a table getting an IV put in.](https://www.graysharbortalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Summit-Pacific-Medical-Center-Gray-Outpatient-Infusion-Services-1024x936.jpg)
“Visits can range anywhere from 10 minutes to 6-plus hours,” says Shumate. “Many patients bring electronic devices for entertainment, read or listen to music. We go above and beyond to make each patient’s experience safe and enjoyable.”
To see if Summit Pacific can host your specific treatment or to submit a provider referral, simply call 360-495-5770 or email OutpatientInfusion@sp-mc.org today. Shumate and the team can even provide patient education for self-injections done at home.
Medical, Emotional, and Self-Care at Summit Pacific
Our lives are hectic enough, especially when juggling ongoing health issues that require this type of outpatient infusion therapy. Thanks to Summit Pacific Medical Center, scheduling is a breeze. With care on your calendar – seven days a week, including weekends – you can maintain a healthy, stress-free routine.
Pack a book, load up your Kindle, grab a few crosswords and get ready for your visit. Turn the trip into a proper outing with a visit to the Summit. Keep up with campus activities through the Peak Health Newsletter and scan ahead for upcoming Classes & Events. Thanks to the tireless work of Moore, Shumate and SPMC’s caring staff, your next infusion therapy service will include all three facets of SPMC’s mission: quality, access and compassion.
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