The new Van Diest Medical Center infusion center.

A large renovation project that expanded and updated the Van Diest Medical Center — VDMC — Infusion Center is now complete and open for business.

The project, under construction since July, doubles the floor space of the infusion center and offers several additional treatment bays and amenities for patients.

Originally opened In October 2016, the infusion center was established to provide a space for outpatient infusions, a service that at one time was only offered in an inpatient setting.

“Previously, we didn’t have a dedicated space for that and with insurance companies now, it’s becoming more and more common that we do the infusions in an outpatient, scheduled setting,” according to Leigh Miller, clinics director at Van Diest Medical Center.

Patients visit the infusion center for a variety of reasons. Some require intravenous antibiotics, blood transfusions, or biologic medication; others have chemotherapy treatments. Patients with chronic illnesses or those suffering from dehydration can also receive services in the infusion center.

“We actually converted our previous board room and an office to create the original infusion center,” Miller said.

The space allowed for four infusion chairs and a station where nurses would prepare infusions and medications as well as complete patient charts.

Miller said that as the demand for infusion services continued to grow, the space was constantly busy.

“We were full all of the time and it became difficult to schedule patients,” she said. “We started with about 70 patients a month, and by December 2019, we were up to 130 per month. Trying to schedule patients within that small space with just those four chairs became increasingly difficult.”

In the past year, the infusion center has hit its highest numbers to date and October was the busiest month ever. The facility now serves about 150 patients a month, a number Miller expects will continue to climb.

VDMC officials approached the Board of Trustees in February 2020 to explore expanding and renovating the infusion center.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, delaying any construction for more than a year. The pandemic also brought closures to all but the most essential healthcare services.

“Things that were outpatient services had to be drastically dialed back or shut down,” she said.

By mid-2021, plans were back on the table for the project. Shive Hattery provided architectural services while Peterson Construction of Webster City served as the general contractor. A capital campaign was also initiated.

Ashley Allers, VDMC chief financial officer, said donations to the project included a $50,000 contribution from the hospital foundation, a very generous donation from an anonymous donor, and more than $10,000 from staff members, physicians and providers. Allers said between the 2021 annual giving campaign and the 2021 golf outing, it brought the fundraising total to almost $200,000. Grant funding also helped offset costs of the project.

Construction began in July 2022 and during the renovation, patients and staff experienced few disruptions, according to Miller. VDMC continued to offer infusion services at a different site in the hospital. The center was moved to four former obstetric rooms.

On Dec. 1, 2022, the infusion center transitioned from its temporary home back to the freshly renovated location. Staff members moved and organized equipment, supplies and furniture. The center welcomed its first patients on the morning of Friday, Dec. 2.

The space features eight patient infusion bays and a private bay with a hospital bed. Miller said certain treatments may require extended time in the infusion center. The bed allows patients to rest and be more comfortable during a long procedure.

“We also do several procedures that require patients to lie flat,” she said.

The patient bays also have a chair for a companion or travel escort and several of the bays have televisions.

The expanded infusion area also features a dedicated area for nurses Janine Mouw and Mary Swalin to monitor patients and document charts. An infusion/medication preparation area, a small kitchenette and a new restroom offer conveniences to patients and staff that were not previously available.

“We are extremely pleased to have this newly expanded space to better serve our patients needing infusion therapy services,” Lisa Ridge, VDMC chief executive officer, said. “To have the comfort and convenience of these services offered locally, with the renovation allowing for more space and improved efficiencies, it truly is an outstanding enhancement for our hospital and community.”

During the renovation, patients receiving treatment in the temporary center checked-in at the Emergency Department admitting desk. As patients have transitioned back to the renovated space, they check in at the main entrance on the west side of the hospital once again.

The infusion center phone number, 515-832-7895, will remain the same, according to Miller. The infusion center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A formal dedication and ribbon-cutting for the infusion center will be held in the spring.