How infusion therapy treats more than cancer patients

St. Joseph’s/Candler has a dedicated Center for Infusion Therapy to treat non-cancerous patients

When you hear the term infusion therapy does your mind automatically go to chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients? Infusion therapy is certainly one way to treat cancer, but it also treats a wide variety of other illnesses and conditions.

At St. Joseph’s/Candler, we have a dedicated Center for Infusion Therapy to treat non-cancerous patients. Infusion refers to giving medication to patients intravenously, which means directly into their veins typically through a needle or catheter, explains Natasha Brooklin, registered nurse in the Center for Infusion Therapy.

“This is how chemotherapy medication is delivered and many people associate infusion centers with cancer treatment. But St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Center for Infusion Therapy was specifically created to treat all non-oncology patients,” Brooklin says. “Chemotherapy patients are immunocompromised, meaning their immune system is weakened and less able to protect the body from infection or illness. Having a separate center for non-oncology patients helps keep everyone safe.”

What we treat

The Center for Infusion Therapy offers specialty medications for patients with chronic pain, osteoporosis, asthma and gastrointestinal illnesses such as ulcerative colitis. We also can treat many autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus.

Some patients may need antibiotics while others may need a blood or iron transfusion, Brooklin says. The Center for Infusion Therapy also houses the Liver Treatment Program, which helps patients with Hepatitis C.

Related Article: St. Joseph’s/Candler pharmacists answer four common questions about hepatitis C

The patient experience

The patient experience varies depending on the condition being treated. Some medications only need to be given by injection and only intermittently. Maintenance medications require more time.

“So one patient might be here for 10 minutes while another might need six hours, but all patients will go home the same day,” Brooklin says.

Patients there for longer periods of time have their own room. All rooms have televisions and reading material or patients are welcome to bring their own book or puzzle to help pass the time. Brooklin says patients also can bring a blanket to stay comfortable during the infusion.

“Our team is always monitoring you, and we have a protocol that we follow in case a patient has an adverse reaction to a new medication,” Brooklin says. “All of the nurses here have years of experience, and we share the same goal. We want to get you back to having the best quality of life.”

The Center for Infusion Therapy is located on the third floor of the Heart & Lung Building on the Candler Hospital Campus. It’s open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients are seen by referral from their physician. For more information, visit our website.