Vital Signs - June 2003

Critical Care Systems

Comes to Nevada

Critical Care Systems (CCS), a leading national provider of specialty infusion pharmacy services, has entered the Nevada marketplace with a Reno location, which opened in February 2003, and a Las Vegas facility scheduled to open this month.

Critical Care Systems provides a broad range of infusion pharmaceuticals delivered intravenously to patients in their homes by an experienced clinical team of professionals. Their products include nutrition support, anti-infective therapies, pain management, immunoglobulin and factor products for bleeding disorders. The intravenous medicines are prepared in "Class 100" clean rooms at each site under the supervision of licensed pharmacists.

According to Liz Moon, CCS area vice president, the average age of the firm’s patients is 42 years old. "Our typical patient is someone who needs temporary assistance," she explained. "For example, he or she may have suffered an injury that became infected and isn’t responding to oral antibiotics. Instead of having to stay in the hospital to receive intravenous medication, we can treat them at home, teach the patient or a family member how to administer the antibiotic themselves, and help them stay out of the hospital." Other patients suffer from chronic diseases such as hemophilia or cystic fibrosis, which require them to receive long-term treatments. In addition to administering medication, CCS healthcare professionals also monitor patients’ progress, change dressings when necessary and instruct patients in proper self-care. Licensed dieticians monitor and follow up with patients receiving nutritional support.

Services from the Reno location extend to patients residing in Reno, Carson City, Gardnerville, Fallon and surrounding communities. The two Nevada locations will work together to service patients statewide, according to Moon.

Darlene Hart, R.N. is the general manager of the Reno location, responsible for overseeing the daily branch operations as well as managing the nursing, administration and sales functions. Hart brings to CCS more than 20 years of specialty nursing and home healthcare experience. She has held a variety of nursing positions within the Reno medical community. Joining Hart in managing the Reno branch operations is Ronald L. Vaught, who was appointed pharmacy manager. Vaught directs the delivery of pharmacy services and medical supplies to patients. 

The new Las Vegas office is managed by Doris Bauer, R.N., who has 16 years infusion experience, six of them in Southern Nevada. It is starting out with eight employees. Pharmacy manager Rick Tschetter has 10 years experience managing and monitoring home infusion care.
       The two Nevada offices also employ several specialized pharmacists, nurses, reimbursement and administrative personnel. The extensive clinical team manages and assists patients – ranging from pediatric to adult – requiring support for complex diseases such as nutrition conditions; primary immune deficiencies; autoimmune disorders; bleeding disorders; infectious diseases; transplant support and oncology. In addition to assisting patients in their homes, each CCS office also has ambulatory infusion suites, where patients may go for treatment and instruction if they choose.

The home infusion therapy industry began more than 20 years ago, according to Moon, and is becoming more popular as payers and patients alike are seeking to contain costs and reduce hospital stays, Patients come to CCS from a variety of sources, either referred by health insurance companies, HMOs or PPOs, or hospital discharge personnel.

"The time was right and the market ripe for Critical Care Systems to bring its expert specialty pharmacy and clinical services to the Nevada medical community. Physicians, payers and patients alike have expressed the need for a quality specialty pharmacy provider. We believe we can satisfy the needs of patients, payers and physicians throughout Nevada with our local presence, quality care and service and personalized attention," commented Moon, who added that Southern Nevada’s rapid growth rate was another factor in deciding to open a Las Vegas location.

Nashua, NH-based Critical Care Systems is a leading national provider of specialty infusion pharmaceuticals and comprehensive clinical services. It has 29 branches in key markets across the country. "Our growth strategy is focused on extending services to those major markets lacking the presence of a quality specialty pharmacy services provider. Both Reno and Las Vegas represent significant growth opportunities for the company. The delivery of healthcare is a local business, and the placing of strategic locations in key markets enables us to deliver quality care on that level while backing it with the support of a proven, national entity," added Christopher J. York, chief executive officer of Critical Care Systems.