Clinical Component

Navigating the Clinical Component

The Infectious Disease physician at Good Shepherd runs a balanced practice that combines outpatient ID clinic, daytime inpatient and ED consultation, and close collaboration with the hospital's Treatment Center for wound care and outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy. Case mix is broad, volume is manageable, and there is no overnight call.

Patient Population

• Adults, 18 and older
• Mix of new referrals, consultations, and established follow-up patients
• Rural service population of approximately 75,000 across Umatilla and Morrow Counties
• Sources of referral include primary care, the Treatment Center, hospitalists, the ED, and surgical specialties

Clinical Scope

Clinical scope spans general infectious disease across adult patients, with specific volume drivers in wound-related infections and inpatient consultation.

• Osteomyelitis and bone infections, typically originating from the Treatment Center's wound care program
• Bacteremia, sepsis, and bloodstream infections
• Respiratory infections, including pneumonia and complicated pulmonary cases
• Urinary, intra-abdominal, and pelvic infections
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Central nervous system infections
• Fungal and parasitic infections
• HIV care (program under development)
• Hepatitis C management (program under development)
• Antibiotic stewardship, both inpatient and outpatient

Clinical Workflow

Clinical Support

The ID physician practices within Good Shepherd Medical Group with access to a full complement of hospital services on a single campus.

• On-site microbiology and clinical laboratory
• Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI)
• Hospital pharmacy with inpatient and outpatient capability
• Level 3 Trauma designated Emergency Department, open 24/7
• Hospitalist team managing admitted patients, available for phone consultation

The Treatment Center Partnership

The Good Shepherd Treatment Center is a core clinical partner for the ID role. The center provides wound care under the direction of a Certified Wound Specialist Physician and runs a full infusion therapy program, making outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) a viable option for complex cases.

• Board-certified wound care medical direction
• Full infusion therapy services for outpatient IV antibiotics
• Coordinated follow-up between ID and wound care teams
• Reduces inpatient length of stay by enabling safe transition to outpatient IV therapy

Program Development Opportunities

The position carries meaningful scope for the ID physician to shape service lines over time.

• Build out an antibiotic stewardship program across the hospital and medical group
• Develop an outpatient Hepatitis C treatment clinic
• Develop an outpatient HIV care clinic
• Expand referral relationships with regional providers across the Tri-Cities corridor and Umatilla County