The Palmetto Health Infusion Center has been accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as the first infusion center in the United States to receive the Patient-Centered Connected Care recognition. Only 40 other outpatient facilities have received the PCCC recognition.

NCQA’s Patient-Centered Connected Care program recognizes sites that deliver outpatient treatment using patient-centered principles, such as coordinating with and connecting patients to primary care, engaging patients and families in decision-making, promoting self-care, providing culturally appropriate care, and committing to continuous quality improvement in clinical care, patient safety and patient experience.

The Palmetto Health Infusion Center cares for patients who need infusion therapy, meaning their medication is administered through a vein. Among the patients who require infusion therapy are those who need IV antibiotics, IV hydration, blood products, iron replacement therapy, and acute pain management for sickle cell anemia.

The Infusion Center’s unique model of care for sickle cell patients helped it earn the PCCC recognition. Because patients with sickle cell disease often seek care from the emergency department instead of from a primary care physician, the Infusion Center is working with emergency medicine physicians to identify sickle cell patients who do not have a primary care physician. Patients are referred to the Infusion Center for follow-up treatment.

In collaboration with the patients’ medical providers, and with oversight from medical director Damon Daniels, M.D., a family medicine physician, two nurse practitioners at the Infusion Center help patients manage their condition in order to reduce the frequency of their visits to the emergency department. The care team also includes a registered nurse care coordinator, psychologist, pharmacist and hematologist.

“Our goal is to improve care for patients by helping them receive the primary care management they need for their chronic condition,” said Daniels. 

The Infusion Center also has expanded its hours and added an after-hours hotline to help provide patients with an alternative to the emergency department.

Infusion Center Nurse Manager Schondra Christian said, “By providing timely access, continuity of care and enhanced patient education, we anticipate our patients will need emergency services less often and require a shorter length of stay when they do need to be admitted to the hospital. Our ultimate goal is for patients to experience better quality care and higher satisfaction.”