Specialty care at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) isn’t just about diagnosis—it’s about long-term, ongoing treatment that helps patients manage complex conditions and avoid hospitalization. Nowhere is that more evident than in CIHA’s infusion therapy program, which has quietly become one of the most impactful services in the hospital.
“The progress and increased access to care in specialty services is made possible through deliberate, thoughtful, and community-guided directives,” said Kelly Hooper, BSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, Specialty Services Nurse Manager. “At CIHA, we’re guided by the principle ᏂᎯᏣᏤᎵ (Ni hi tsa tse li)—’It belongs to you’—and that’s what we keep in mind as we grow infusion therapy for our community.”
From autoimmune diseases to iron deficiencies, infusion therapy plays a critical role in our patients’ health. The CIHA infusion clinic currently provides:
- –Blood transfusions (for stable patients)
- –IVIG and biologics for autoimmune diseases
- –IV /IM /subcutaneous medications for asthma, osteoporosis, and iron deficiency
- –PICC line care and dressing changes
- –Port flushes and care
- –Steroid infusions, Sandostatin, epoetin alfa, and more
The continuity of care these in-house infusions play are paramount of patients. Patients who receive their infusions here benefit from a local, coordinated team that works directly with Primary Care to ensure treatments stay on track. Even when non-formulary medications are denied, CIHA staff help identify alternatives so patients don’t miss a dose. This kind of wraparound support is often lost when care is referred out.