Infusion center helps more than just cancer patients
The Jackie Leonard Infusion Center, located inside Bristol Regional Medical Center, was named for Bristol philanthropists Frank and Jackie Leonard, who wanted infusion patients to receive state-of-the-art treatment in a spa-like environment.
Like many of the patients who receive treatment in the center that bears her name, Jackie Leonard is a cancer survivor. But infusion therapy can help patients with other conditions, as well.
“I think because we are located inside the Nicewonder Cancer Center, people relate the infusion center to chemotherapy infusions or treating cancer patients,” said Karla Lane, clinical leader for the outpatient infusion center. “We can give any type of infusion a physician prescribes. We treat a lot of Crohn’s patients and rheumatoid arthritis patients.”
Infusion therapy is administered intravenously for patients on an outpatient basis. Infusion treatments include but are not limited to chemotherapy and can take anywhere from eight minutes to eight hours to complete.
Patients who visit the center may be in need of blood, platelets or antibiotics. Individuals with auto-immune deficiencies, including osteoporosis, may need specialized infusion treatments, as well.
The infusion center was designed with patients and their loved ones in mind, making the space a family-oriented environment complete with a kitchen and large treatment bays with plenty of space and privacy.
Inside the infusion center, patients will find a brightly lit, warm environment with 12 treatment bays, flat-screen televisions and a beautiful view of the healing garden located just outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Some of our patients have transferred from other facilities to ours because of the privacy we offer,” Lane said. “Patients enjoy having an individual cubicle when receiving their infusion treatments.”
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