Frequently Asked Questions

East Alabama Health Infusion Center is located at Canopy 4 of East Alabama Medical Center. When you arrive at the center, please sign in at the front desk and have a seat in the waiting area. You will be called and checked in by a patient care technician.

Please make every effort to arrive at your scheduled treatment time. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, your visit may need to be rescheduled for another time. If you think you will be running late, please call us to determine if the infusion center will be able to accommodate the delay.

Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in patient care areas and all children must have adult supervision at all times while on premises.

If you just need to change the time of your appointment, please call 334-528-1024.

You need to bring a form of identification (driver’s license) and insurance cards for our registration area. Also, please bring a list of the medications you take at home, a copy of your advance directive (if you have one), and any medications that you will need to take during the time you are here. If you have special dietary needs or will be here all day, you are welcome to bring food with you.

The infusion center is equipped with ceiling mounted televisions. You may bring in portable electronic devices as long as you use headphones. These devices must be kept with you at all times as the hospital is not liable for any loss or damage to your property. Some patients read books, draw or knit to help pass the time. Wireless internet access is available to all guests in the hospital. Dressing in layers is highly recommended for your comfort. Blankets and pillows are available and will be provided at your request. Patient restrooms are located in the infusion room. Guests can use the restrooms outside the infusion center.

You may bring one guest with you. Your guest may sit beside you or out in the waiting area. We do not encourage visitors who are ill with the flu or cold symptoms and little children to accompany a relative back to the infusion room or the center. While family and friends are welcome, it is not an appropriate setting for small children, and children under 12 are not allowed in the treatment area. Out of respect for our other patients, please limit the number of visitors who come with you.

Yes, eat your regular breakfast before you arrive. There is a cafeteria within the hospital and a café in the lobby. There are also beverages available at the infusion center at no charge. Vending machines are also available. If you need directions, any information desk can help you.

Unless your doctor has asked you to fast or skip medication before your treatment, please eat a light meal and take your medication as prescribed. Complimentary breakfast, lunch or light snack can be provided. Your nurse and patient care technician will provide you with the menu. You may also bring your own snack or purchase food from the cafeteria.

Treatment times vary according to what medication you will be receiving as ordered by your doctor. Please ask your doctor how long your treatment will take.

Please wear comfortable clothing with easy access to start your intravenous therapy. Also, it is sometimes cool in the center, so wear clothes that will keep you warm. We also have warm blankets available.

There is an experienced team of RNs, all of whom are qualified to answer your questions. There is a clinical pharmacist who will provide education on first infusion and available for questions during any visit. We will refer you to your physician for questions he/she needs to answer.

We are happy to assist with small tasks such as walking or getting out of a chair, but our center is unable to provide one-on-one assistance. If you require a high level of assistance, a family member or health aide will need to accompany you to your appointment.

You are able to use your home oxygen during your infusion visit. We recommend that you bring enough home supplies with you for the duration of your infusion plus your travel time. This includes oxygen tanks, a regulator, tubing, and any cart or bag. The infusion center cannot administer oxygen without an order from the infusion provider.

Yes. Wireless Internet access is available.

The Infusion Center is open Monday through Friday. For patients who need daily treatments, such as IV antibiotics, arrangements can be made to have infusions at another location.

Once checked in, you will receive a hospital ID band/bracelet, and then a patient care technician will obtain your weight (if applicable) and bring you back to the infusion room. In the infusion room your vital signs will be taken and you will meet your assigned nurse. Your nurse will review your doctor's orders with you and obtain blood samples if ordered. He or she will also ask questions about your current health status to update your hospital record. Your nurse will then proceed with the ordered treatment (injection, infusion, etc.). If you have blood drawn it usually takes approximately one hour for results to be available.