Chemotherapy and Infusion Services
Chemotherapy is a treatment approach that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells or to stop or slow their growth. Chemotherapy can control your cancer, or help ease symptoms you may be experiencing.
At Dignity Health, we take a patient-focused approach to chemotherapy treatment from our warm comfortable treatment area, to nurse navigators, and onsite pharmacy where chemotherapy medications are prepared specific to your doctor’s orders. Our chemotherapy process can only be compared with some of the nation’s most recognized, leading institutions in cancer treatment and our humankindness approach to patient care has no comparison.
St. Joseph’s Adult Outpatient Infusion Center provides patients with a comfortable and soothing environment in which to receive chemotherapy and other infusion services. Our team, which includes chemo-certified registered numbers, strives to enhance the quality of life for patients and family members by providing support, education and compassionate care. We work closely with your referring physician to ensure a seamless experience.
When are Chemotherapy and Infusion Services Needed
Chemotherapy is a part of the treatment plan for a wide variety of cancers. For some patients, chemotherapy may be the best choice of treatment in the fight against your type of cancer. For other patients, chemotherapy may be an adjunct approach to other treatment modalities:
- Destroying any cancer cells that might be left in your body after radiation or surgery (called adjuvant treatment).
- Shrinking tumors before surgery or radiation therapy (called neoadjuvant treatment).
- Treating cancer that’s come back (re-occurred) or spread (metastasized) to other parts of your body.
- Boosting the effect of radiation therapy.
- Easing or lessening the intensity of your cancer symptoms by shrinking tumors that are pushing against or putting pressure on parts of your body.
Relaxing Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Environment
The Infusion Center is designed for patient and family comfort, with soft lights, five private infusion rooms and four infusion recliners.
All of the infusion areas are equipped with comfortable recliners with trays for reading, activities or laptop use. We provide soft blankets, snacks and drinks and wireless access for laptops. Our private rooms all have flat-screen televisions. Free lunches are provided for appointments held during the lunch hour.
We make every attempt to provide a holistic and welcoming setting for patients and visitors. Friends and family are welcome to visit while you receive treatment. We also provide many services that complement the chemo experience, such as nutrition counseling and a patient navigator who can help with wig and scarf needs.
Types of Chemotherapy and Infusion Services
During a chemotherapy infusion, patients may be given one or a combination of anti-cancer drugs. These drugs are often employed to increase the cancerous cell-killing effectiveness, since chemical agents damage cancer cells in different ways and at different phases in the cell cycle.
Listed below are several categories (classes) of chemotherapy agents based on their chemical structures and the way they act on cancer cells:
- Alkylating agents
- Antimetabolites
- Plant alkaloids
- Antitumor antibiotic
Multidisciplinary Approach to Cancer Care
Infusion Center Hours
We’re open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free valet parking is available.
Chemotherapy Appointments
Appointments for chemo or immunotherapy can be scheduled with your attending/referring physician’s office. Our staff provides flexible appointment scheduling to meet your needs.
St. Joseph's Outpatient Infusion Center
Most patients receive chemotherapy on an outpatient-basis. Our Outpatient Infusion Center is designed to deliver diagnostic, treatment and support services needed by patients with cancer, while enabling them to pursue their family, work and leisure activities as normally as possible.
Comprehensive Infusion Services
The Outpatient Infusion Center specializes in intravenous (IV) treatments. Services and treatments provided here include:
- Central line catheter care
- Chemotherapy
- Hydration therapy
- Intravenous therapies (many types)
- IV antibiotic therapy
- IV anti-nausea care
- IV immune globulin
- Intramuscular injections
- Pain management
- Subcutaneous injections
- Transfusion of blood products (red blood cells, whole blood, plasma, platelets)
Learn More About Infusion Services at St. Joseph’s
For more information or to make an appointment, please call (602) 406-8222.