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Posted 6/28/2016 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all!
I currently work as a GI nurse and am in the process of starting an infusion center. I figured that this would be a good place to go to get opinions on what patients like best for there infusion experience. I would like to do a spa theme. I have bought a large recliner. I will provide warm blankets, snacks, drinks, tv and wifi. The room with have a light dimmer and a water feature. Opinions and suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Posted 6/28/2016 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, I wish mine could be like that! Ear plugs would be great. Maybe even curtains around the chairs? I know some people like to visit during infusions and others would rather nap. Also, not sure if Remicade can be warmed, but when I got daily IV nutrition, the nurses would put the saline in the blanket warmer for me. Maybe some magazines or books?

And if you're really going all-out, make the recliners massaging ones! ;)
Posted 6/28/2016 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your suggestions! The patients will be in separate rooms so I don't think noise level will be an issue. Definitely books and magazines! Thank you!
Posted 6/28/2016 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Fast dependable wifi is extremely important. Sometimes I bring my laptop and work, sometimes I just stream Netflix. Snacks and water are good too. Sounds like you've thought of most of that. Infusion centers are such a better experience than a hospital. The insurance companies like them better too.
Posted 6/29/2016 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
I think fast, efficient and competent are the most important. My Daughters infusion center is very impersonal. Rows of recliners in a hospital type setting.

I like your ideas of making it more spa like. Anything to make it feel more inviting, relaxing and peaceful are great ideas.

Music, movies, lighting, decor, are all things that could help the experience. Good luck with it.
Posted 6/29/2016 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
All the atmosphere stuff suggested is great, but what I most want is medical competence. Learn how to be an expert at starting IV's and if you can't get one started well, get help rather than endlessly poking your patient. Stay close by to watch for allergic reactions after starting a new medication. Listen closely and believe your patients if they tell you something is wrong.....they are experts about their own bodies.

Some patients love a nice quiet space with good wifi or a good book, and others get lonely and prefer to socialize with others. If there is space and a way to give your patients options, that would be ideal.

I don't take biologics, but I've had several iron infusions in the past. At my facility there is a place to go get snacks and drinks myself. The new Feraheme infusions are much faster, but back in the times when an iron infusion took several hours, I would get fidgety. I loved that at my facility there was room to take my IV pole and go for a walk around the place.....sitting still that long was really hard!
Posted 6/29/2016 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
make sure that the bathrooms are always kept clean! there should be one bathroom for every 3-4 people
make sure that there are fans/lysol spray/pouporri in the bathrooms

have some ginger candies/mints for nausea

fans for patients who flush from the steroids.


the things I like least about my infusion center that it is one big room and everyone hears everything about everyone. also, there are only 2 bathrooms and I feel rushed cuz I know people might be waiting.

having ultrasound vein finders might be a good idea because many of our veins stink escpecially after having so many IVs and dehydration....

where is this center opening up? I want to switch lol


also, you might want to post on the ulcerative colitis forum, that generally gets more responses for posts as there are more members who go to that forum.
Posted 6/29/2016 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
I love the ideas about the vein finders. And the individual rooms sound heavenly. Maybe a common area though, for people who like to visit with others? It'd be nice to have a place to get up to walk around.

Since the rooms are individual, you probably will want to have call buttons and also have some sort of monitors. Some people have bad, quick reactions - even just a pulse ox on the finger will let you know immediately if someone needs IV benadryl quickly.

Also, perhaps DVD players and DVDs. Or pay-per-view of some sort with the TVs.
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