As rural hospitals continue to seek out opportunities to provide more robust patient services and drive new forms of revenue into local economies, Freestone Medical Center has entered into an innovative partnership with Community Infusion Solutions (CIS), a public health organization specializing in patient-centered remote infusion services, to create a dedicated IV infusion center within the hospital.
The center, which will be managed by CIS’ staff of care coordinators in conjunction with Freestone Medical Center nursing staff, aims to see approximately 45 IV infusion patients locally who are currently forced to drive to Waco, Tyler or even Dallas for weekly infusions of medicines for diabetes, cancer-related drugs (not related to traditional chemotherapy), kidney disease and many other chronic illnesses.
Additionally, the center will address “outmigration” or a term commonly used among rural hospitals to describe patients who cannot be served locally and must migrate outward to a major city for medical treatment, meaning the revenue also leaves the local community.
“By partnering with Community Infusion Solutions and offering onsite infusion services here at Freestone, our intent is to help infusion patients stay healthier and closer to home,” says John Yeary, CEO, Freestone Medical Center. “This partnership also aims to ensure more local healthcare dollars stay here in the Fairfield community.”
Outpatient infusion therapy is covered by most insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid. To find out how to begin receiving IV therapy and specialty injections through Infusion Services at Freestone Medical Center, talk to your medical provider about a referral or call (903) 389-0935.
