Infusion Center

Mather Hospital’s newly renovated and expanded Infusion Center is focused on providing lifesaving care in a serene, comfortable environment within a hospital setting.  The center is equipped so that patients enjoy reclining chairs, flat screen TVs, WiFi internet access and meals and snacks served during their treatments, which can take several hours.

Conveniently located on the first floor of the Frey Family Foundation Medical Arts Building on the hospital campus, the Infusion Center is staffed by specially trained nurses and nurse practitioners and features a spacious reception area and 13 individual treatment areas.

The center serves patients who require chemotherapy, transfusions or other intravenous therapies for cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and other autoimmune diseases or IV antibiotics for infections. Outpatient infusion therapy is also a treatment option for hematological, rheumatologic, gynecological and kidney disorders.

The following are offered through the Infusion Center:

• Chemotherapy
• Transfusion of Blood Products
• Gammaglobulin
• IV antibiotic
• IV electrolyte replacement therapy
• Therapeutic Injections
• IV hydration
• CHF management
• Therapeutic Phlebotomy
• IV Infusion (Steroids, Antibiotics, Iron, Reclast, Remicade, WinRho, Lasix)

The Center is also home to two special treatment programs:

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Program
Studies show that Congestive Heart Failure patients who monitor their weight and take their medications as prescribed, generally have fewer medical emergencies and hospitalizations.

This program is aimed at improving each patient’s quality of life through education and support.  Through the CHF Program, a nurse practitioner (NP) works closely with each patient, stressing the importance of keeping doctor appointments, following their prescribed low sodium diet, monitoring their weight daily, and taking their medications as directed by their physicians. The NP also works with patients on understanding the symptoms that would require them to contact their physician.

Since dealing with a chronic health condition can impact the whole family, Mather offers a CHF Support Group to assist patients and their families. The group meets at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in Mather Hospital’s Conference Rooms 1&2. There is no charge to attend.

Anticoagulation Program
The anticoagulation program helps patients avoid hospitalizations and adverse outcomes through better monitoring and adjustment of anticoagulation treatment. This treatment, which helps to prevent clotting or bleeding, is necessary for patients who:

• have had hip or knee replacement surgery
• have suffered a hip fracture
• have heart-related diseases such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease
• suffering from or have had a history of blood clots in their legs
• have recently undergone other types of surgery

Patients come to the infusion center for blood work and monitoring of their anti-coagulation medication.

Through the Anticoagulation program, patients are monitored to keep their medication regimen optimized. Nurse practitioners regularly receive lab results and communicate with patients to adjust the dosing of anticoagulant medications as necessary. This ensures that the correct drug effect is maintained to prevent clotting or bleeding. Progress and concerns are communicated to the patient’s physician.

The program also ensures that those without health insurance are receiving the proper medication and monitoring while they apply for Medicaid, which helps to reduce hospitalizations in that population.