Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center (OIDWC) has been trusted with countless patients since 2008, to perform their monthly infusion services and treatment of infections. The time candidates spend at the outpatient IV infusion center creates strong bonds with staff and nurses. We become part of their families, and our facility and staff become an integral part in their wellness. With the feedback of our patients, our new outpatient infusion therapy center was designed to maximize patient comfort in a bright uplifting atmosphere like none other around.
What is Outpatient Infusion Therapy (OPAT)?
Outpatient infusion therapy is the ability to provide intravenous medications in an office setting for the treatment of infections which would otherwise require hospitalization to be administered. The Infectious Disease Society of America and other Research supports the effectiveness of outpatient infusion therapy for a wide variety of infections and illnesses.
Important aspects of OPAT include:
Drugs are administered in a setting that allows a thorough assessment of the patient’s general medical conditions and treatment of infections.
Required teamwork, communication between nurse and physician, and proper patient is achievable in an outpatient setting
Close monitoring of patients and blood work allows nurses to notify physician of any changes in patient condition same day and there is less time delay in changing plan of care or treatment of infections.
Administering the first dose of any intravenous medication should be done in a supervised setting to monitor for reaction
Daily assessments are done with infusions to monitor for side effects
What are the benefits of an outpatient infusion therapy?
Physician on site, available at all times
Lower cost to the patient
Physician-based outpatient infusion therapy centers are typically 60% less cost than hospitals.
Covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most other insurance carriers
A convenient way for non-home bound patients to receive therapy
One-on-one patient care
Convenient & Safe
No worries about doing infusion by self at home
Increased safety and monitoring
Lab work, physician follow up, wound care, hyperbaric therapy, and other services available in same office
Expertise
We have infused thousands of patients and are well equipped to handle all types of pre-medications, reactions, and patient concerns without the use of an emergency department.
Prevent Hospitalization
Many times, hospitalization can be completely avoided and patients can be managed in outpatient centers
Also helps facilitate quicker discharge by continuing antibiotics at our facility
Decrease exposure to hospitals decreases risk for hospital acquired infections
No hospital-based Infusion Center or pharmacy wait time
Private infusion centers often take less than half the time of hospital-based infusion centers.
Excellent customer service We want our patients to have complete comfort and confidence to the moment of arrival at our infusion centre. We strive for maximum efficiency for our patient’s convenience and safety during the treatment of infections.
Insurance pre-certification and verification, and co-pay assistance
Patients are informed of approximate co-payments per therapy We also have multiple assistance programs for specialty drug infusions which we will assist you in obtaining
Office Hours:
The outpatient infusion therapy center is open Monday thru Friday from 7:30am to 3pm. We are open Saturday and Sundays from 7:30am to 1pm. ***We also accommodate specialty drug patients on the weekend (only facility/hospital in the community which does this).
The following services are provided to outpatient infusion therapy center candidates:
Medications:
IV antibiotics out of hospital
IV medication for treatment of infections: multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, osteoporosis, and other autoimmune disorders
Benlysta
Boniva
Remicade
Reclast
Orencia
Prolia
IV Solu Medrol for COPD exacerbations and other diseases
Hydration therapy
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line management with routine care
Infusaport care with monthly flushes
Lab collections
Blood draw / phlebotomy
Nasal swabs, foley specimens, infusaport blood draws, and PICC draws.
What if I don’t want to change the doctor I currently have?
There is no need to change doctors. Actually we prefer you continue your care with your current doctor/specialist. We can help by providing a convenient, low out of pocket cost facility for your outpatient infusion therapy. All we require is an order for your medication from your Doctor. We then act as an infusion center, providing you billing assistance, drug infusion, and continued communication with your referring doctor. With each treatment of infections you receive, we will fax all of your infusion records back to your doctor/specialist so they can continue to monitor you and your therapy response.
How to schedule an appointment?
If you are interested in receiving services at OIDWC’s Infusion Center, please contact your prescribing provider for a referral. Please call 352-401-7552 or fax 352-622-7945
Preparing for your first appointment
It is important for us to know your health history, especially any medications you are currently taking so we can safely provide you with your medication infusion. Click here for new patient paperwork, which only needs to be filled out for the initial visit. During the course of your treatment of infections, if there are any changes in your health information, please let your nurse know on your next visit so we can update your health history.
What are some things I can do, or bring, to pass the time while I am having an infusion?
Depending on the medication prescribed for you, your infusion may take anywhere from 1 hour to 3 or 4 hours. To keep you comfortable, we provide the following for entertainment while you receive your infusion:
Personal TV
Free Wi-Fi (bring your laptop, iPad, or kindle)
A large variety in the latest magazines
Snacks/drinks/coffee
Feel free to also bring:
Lunch from home if your infusion takes a long time
Blanket or jacket in case you are cold
Books/puzzles/other reading material
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