Outpatient Infusion Services at SSM Health

We know that IVs can be a stressful part of the infusion process. Rest assured that our infusion nurses are RNs or NPs with years of experience and excellent IV skills (and tricks of the trade to help increase our success rate). Finally, know that you are in charge of your treatment at all times, so if you prefer a specific location for the IV, we will do our best to accommodate. And if you want us to stop at any time, we will.

An infusion is a procedure where medications or nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream. There are various methods and types of infusions, including intravenous (aka IV), intramuscular, and subcutaneous. - Intravenous: when a medication is delivered directly into a person’s vein. It’s understandable to feel nervous if your doctor says you need intravenous infusion therapy, but if you’ve ever had a surgery, given birth in a hospital, or had hydration at the hospital, you’ve had an intravenous infusion! - Intramuscular: when a medication is inserted into the muscle tissue (commonly the arm/deltoid muscle). If you’ve had a vaccination, then you’ve had an intramuscular infusion. -Subcutaneous: when a medication is injected into the fat under the skin (commonly the upper arms and stomach). If you know someone who takes insulin, those are subcutaneous infusions.