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Posted 6/29/2016 3:20 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. Each patient will have their own room. 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 6/29/2016 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
The infusion center I go to is in a hospital and recently renovated because of a generous donation from a former patient. The rooms are more private than the previous infusion center but they are not rooms. The space is more like a giant cubicle with heated/massage recliner, TV and a guest chair. I like your idea very much. One thing I suggest is having a couple of rooms with a bed. I was very sick once while getting my infusion; so nauseated that I asked if I could lay down. I didn't know they had private rooms in the back with a hospital bed. It made all the difference for me to get through that infusion plus they gave me zofran.
Posted 6/29/2016 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
Blankets for sure! Very cold in there.

The last place I went to had individual rooms with TV and a recliner. The only thing I found difficult was reading a book with one hand. Also, I had my infusions in the days before Ipods and tablets but that seems difficult with one hand also. Not sure there is an answer for that.

All in all my experience with Remicade clinic environment was very positive. I had the same nurse each time and got to know her very well. I still keep in touch with her even though I haven't been on Remicade for 6 years. Mary
Posted 6/29/2016 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
I like the idea of having a couple of private rooms and a bed, however I look forward to infusions because it's one of the few times I can mix and mingle with other patients, whether IBD or otherwise. I don't know anyone else with IBD so when I meet someone it's a great support.
Posted 6/29/2016 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
Switched from 9 recliners in a semi-circle format into somewhat private cubes. My current infusion center is great, all rooms have a recliner and it's own TV.
Warm blankets that are long enough to cover the entire body are essential.
A few local restaurants occasionally donate some soup and sandwiches.
All the nurses are very good, but of course I have my favorites. In a perfect world it would be nice to schedule infusions with individual nurses.
The ability to close the blinds and turn off the lights in my cube has been very nice when the sleepy train starts pulling into the station.
My infusion center has private rooms with full beds for kemo patients.
Convenient access to well maintained bathrooms is welcomed.
A snack table stocked with granola bars and other snacks along with a number of beverage choices (water, coffee and tea) have been a thoughtful and welcomed gesture.
Posted 6/29/2016 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
My infusion center is within my gastroenterologist office, so I know all of the staff and it's a pretty friendly environment. It's all IBD patients and we usually small talk and complain about IBD lol. Talking with other patients is always nice, to actually meet other people with my problems and struggles, I always look forward to it. There's 4 comfy infusion chairs that recline. The nurses offer us a choice of beverages (teas, coffees, juices, etc.) and snacks which is nice. Wifi is a must have, I do my business officework remotely while in the infusion chair. Others have ipads, phones online etc. They got a few tablets recently, so people can play games or watch Netflix. The nurses handle the medication ordering for us and help with understanding copays and patient assistance programs which is wonderful. It's a huge time saver that they make it easy, as the paperwork and fine print ugh. Done it myself before and boy what a hassle it is. They also have blankets pillows, etc.

Oh and a bathroom or preferably bathrooms very closeby are a must. We have crazy urgency... :-(

Keep your patients comfortable and happy and they just might return to your facility. Not sure on private rooms, I'd nix the idea (or have an option for one if someone feels ill).
Posted 6/29/2016 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have mine in the hospital on the oncology ward and would always have a roommate. I don't like to talk most times because they give me Benedryl and I just want to sleep. But I had my first experience at an infusion center not too long ago. Each lounger is separated by a curtain, I have my own tv and they gave me lots of warm blankets. Also if you didn't bring anything to eat they offer a boxed lunch (sandwich, chips and juice). To me that is the ideal environment for my infusions. Plus, the nurse was very prompt in putting my IV in and giving me my pre-meds.
Posted 7/8/2016 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
OH!! the most important thing
hours, you need to be available in the evenings and on saturdays and sunday. Many of us work/are in school from 9-5 during the week and have a lot of issues scheduling our remicade
Posted 7/9/2016 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
I had mine at the Oncology Center at the hospital. It was an open format large room with curtains if someone needed privacy. Not the best setup for GI patients but was probably better for the Oncology Nurses to monitor the sicker patients.

When I had my surgeries the hospital gave me a guest/patient package that included some really nice and useful things, some of the best items were the personal bottle of hand sanitizer, ear plugs and a sleep mask to block out all the light.
Posted 7/9/2016 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Dikid has mentioned the most important thing! Off hours...evenings and weekends. I always go on a Saturday and my infusion center is the only facility that offers services on the wknds and no one in town has evening hours.
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