Kimberly Thomas’s patients are often surprised they can receive IV antibiotics at home.
Thomas, a registered nurse, is co-owner and operator of Vital Care Infusion Services, a specialty pharmacy, located at 1201 West Ave. in North Augusta. The business opened in January and treated its first patient in late March.
Vital Care provides patients with IV medications to treat a variety of medical conditions, including Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, as well as tube feeding services. These specialty medications are provided for patients throughout Georgia and South Carolina, while other services are only available to patients who live within a 90-mile radius of the center.
“We go to the home, or they can come here,” she said. “We have three infusion suites.”
Thomas said most of their patients receive treatment at home. She and her staff also provide home delivery of self-administered, injectable medications. They provide education to ensure patients understand how to administer the drugs.
“We run labs for our antibiotic patients and report the results to physicians,” said Thomas, who worked as a home health nurse for about eight years.
Founded in 1986, Vital Care Infusion Services has centers throughout much of the United States, including Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. As a former home health nurse, she recognized the need for this type of business in the CSRA.
“I saw a lack of communication between the pharmacy, provider, patient, and insurance company,” Thomas said.
She originally considered opening her own business, but while researching opportunities online, she discovered Vital Care. Thomas contacted Ryan McFerrin, a pharmacist who co-owns seven centers, including one in Tuscaloosa. McFerrin agreed to be her partner in launching the North Augusta location.
She said working with insurance companies is the biggest challenge she’s faced. Many medications require prior authorization before insurance companies will pay for them. The process can sometimes take a few weeks, leaving patients without medicines they urgently need.
“We really fight to get benefits approval for our patients,” Thomas said.
Vital Care Infusion Services is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but nurses provide evening and weekend services, primarily for acute healthcare needs. For more information, visit vitalcareaugusta.org/ or call 803-599-7386.
