WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital Expands Outpatient Infusion Center to Seven-Day Service
Key Insights
Wetzel County Hospital has expanded its Outpatient Infusion Center hours to include weekday evenings until 7:30 p.m. and weekend availability from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The expansion aims to reduce travel burdens for patients who previously had to leave the region for specialized infusion treatments.
Services include IV infusions, monoclonal antibody therapy, chemotherapy pump takedown, blood product administration, and coordinated oncology care through the WVU Cancer Institute (search).
Patients in Wetzel County and the surrounding region now have significantly expanded access to outpatient infusion services, as WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital (search) has extended the operating hours of its Outpatient Infusion Center to include evenings and weekends. The center, located at 3 E. Benjamin Drive in New Martinsville, is now open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The extended schedule represents a strategic effort to improve access to care while reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for specialized treatments. Hospital officials noted that many patients previously faced long-distance travel to receive infusion therapies, creating burdens for both patients and their caregivers.
"Every service we can provide locally is one less trip our patients have to make outside the community," said Tony Martinelli, President and CEO of Wetzel County Hospital. "Expanding the hours of our Infusion Center is another example of our commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of our region."
Comprehensive Service Offerings
The Outpatient Infusion Center provides a broad range of services designed to meet diverse patient needs. These include IV infusions, hydration and electrolyte replacement, blood and blood product administration, antibiotic therapy, iron infusions, monoclonal antibody therapy, immunotherapy, specialized injections, vascular access device maintenance, wound care, and catheter care. The center also offers chemotherapy pump takedown and works in close coordination with the WVU Cancer Institute (search) to facilitate cancer treatments.
The center functions as a cost-effective outpatient alternative to hospital-based inpatient care, allowing patients to receive ongoing therapies while remaining in familiar surroundings. The care team collaborates closely with referring physicians to obtain treatment orders, coordinate care, and schedule appointments tailored to each patient's circumstances.
Patient-Centered Scheduling
Martinelli emphasized that the expanded hours are particularly meaningful for patients who must balance treatment with work, school, and family responsibilities.
"Healthcare should fit into people's lives whenever possible," Martinelli said. "By offering evening and weekend availability, we're giving patients more options to receive the care they need without disrupting every other aspect of their lives. It's one more way we're making healthcare more accessible for the communities we serve."
Growing Specialty Services
The infusion center expansion is part of Wetzel County Hospital's continued investment in growing specialty services throughout the region. Recent additions, including expanded oncology services provided in partnership with the WVU Cancer Institute (search), complement the Infusion Center and allow more patients to receive comprehensive treatment locally rather than traveling outside the area.
The Outpatient Infusion Center is now accepting referrals. Patients and providers seeking additional information may contact the center at 304-455-8108.