Deaconess Opens New Ambulatory Infusion Center

The center, which opened in June, offers a specialized environment where patients can receive laboratory tests, chemotherapy, and specialty infusion all in the same location.
 
“Previously, our patients would receive these outpatient treatments through DMC Short Stay,” said Sean Dobbin, Deaconess Medical Center pharmacy manager. “Relocating these services to its own designated department allows the patient to receive care from a specialized staff in an environment exclusively designed for the comfort of their specific infusion needs.”
 
The Infusion Center, which is located on the fifth floor, is equipped with 12 specialty infusion chairs, hospitals beds and an isolation room for people with compromised immune systems.
 
The dedicated staff includes nurses, physicians, pharmacists and a health unit coordinator. Having this specialized staff, Dobbin said, allows for a greater emphasis on patient education about their conditions and treatments.
 
“A major goal in the creation of the infusion center is to continue to improve our patient's satisfaction with their treatment environment,” said Dobbin. “A patient can be here for fifteen minutes or up to twelve hours, depending on their needs. We want to help ease their concerns by facilitating an experience that is as comfortable as possible.”
 
Currently, the center is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Procedures are scheduled through physician referrals.