When you think of the different departments in a hospital, the major ones come to mind—surgery, emergency room services, and labor and delivery. There are other departments that may not be as well known, but play a vital role in the health of many people in our community. One of these is the Infusion Center.

At Meritus Medical Center, the Infusion Center addresses the medical needs of those in our community who have complex medication, hydration, or transfusion needs. As the premier infusion service in our region, the Infusion Center offers the administration of blood, blood products, hydration, intravenous specialty medications, and injections. The center also maintains implanted vein devices.

The Infusion Center is essential to those who need to receive blood products, or injections of medications that are not available in a physician’s office or need to be administered by a medical professional. Intravenous administration of medications can be a practical option for patients who have not tolerated more conservative methods of treatment such as oral antibiotics.

The Infusion Center also helps women in pregnancy who suffer fluid loss or adults or children who are dehydrated from such illnesses as the flu. The center is available for those who need medication or hydration treatments one time or for numerous times to come. Many patients who visit the Infusion Center need to receive medications each month for chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis.

Before the Infusion Center opened, patients in our region who needed this service often were only able to get treatment through the local emergency department or by traveling out of the area. Many of the visitors to the Infusion Center are patients who may have a medication need but do not need to be hospitalized. Because of this specialized unit, the hospital is able to have beds available for patients who need to be admitted, while patients in the Infusion Center can schedule their visits at their convenience without having to travel long distance or undergo hospital stays.

The Infusion Center is located on the 2nd floor of the hospital where patients can be carefully monitored during their visit. The center offers six dedicated chairs for services, and a registered nurse and licensed practical nurse staff the unit at all times.

The Infusion Center offers convenient hours for patients and is open each day of the week from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, including holidays. Appointments are required. For more information about the Infusion Center at Meritus Medical Center or to schedule an appointment, please call 301-790-8842.