Rural Infusion Clinic Cuts Patient Travel Miles
An advanced practice provider-led rural infusion clinic completed 639 appointments for 90 patients while achieving a 99.4% treatment appointment adherence rate. The initiative, presented at the 2026 JADPRO Live meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, established outpatient infusion services 3 hours from the main medical center to reduce geographic barriers for patients.
Multidisciplinary Planning and Clinic Expansion
Pharmacy, outpatient oncology, nursing, and facility leadership collaborated on a business plan using patient geographic data to select the location expected to have the greatest impact. Staffing at the site included 2 nurses, 1 pharmacist, and 1 pharmacy technician. The clinic initially operated 2 days per week, handling port flushes and nonhazardous drugs compounded on-site. Program growth allowed operations to expand to 5 days weekly, adding the administration of hazardous drugs compounded in advance at the main medical center and transported the same day.
Travel Distance and Cost Savings
During the evaluation period from July 18, 2024, through March 31, 2026, the clinic recorded 4 treatment no-shows alongside its 639 completed visits. Investigators documented 84,696 travel miles avoided, calculated by measuring the difference between round-trip travel to the main medical center versus the rural clinic. While project materials reported $39,224 in travel cost savings, multiplying the avoided mileage by the stated $0.41-per-mile rate totals $34,725.36.
Operational Sustainability and Future Outlook
Oncology advanced practice providers coordinated nursing, pharmacy, and medical services to execute the project. Study authors concluded the model is feasible and operationally sustainable, offering potential for expansion to other rural sites. The abstract did not provide a preimplementation adherence comparison or specific safety outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the rural infusion initiative presented?
Investigators presented the project details in a poster at the 2026 JADPRO Live meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
How many patients received care during the evaluation period?
90 patients received infusion services across 639 completed appointments between July 18, 2024, and March 31, 2026.
What staff members operated the rural clinic?
The facility operated with a team consisting of 2 nurses, 1 pharmacist, and 1 pharmacy technician.
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