Your First Appointment and Helpful Tips

While you're in the East Alabama Health Infusion Center, we want to make sure that you have the best possible experience. Once you check in, here's what you can expect. The first 30 minutes following your scheduled appointment time is considered to be you "triage time." During this time:

• We will obtain your weight, blood pressure and temperature (your vital signs), unless previously taken in clinic.
• Pharmacy will review your vital signs, pertinent lab work, and can then begin to safely prepare and process, check, and mix your personalized treatment for that particular day. Patient safety is our number one priority.
• Please note: if you are seen in the clinic the same day as your Infusion Center appointment, we have to wait until we receive your orders from the clinic.

Helpful tips:

• If you are diabetic, please bring your medications and snacks with you.
• If you have medication for pain, please bring it with you.
• If you are feeling unwell prior to your Infusion Center appointment, please contact your clinic provider prior to your appointment. They may wish to see you in clinic prior to treatment.
• We know that support is very important for our patients. However, for safety reasons, we ask that you limit your visitors to only one at a time in the treatment area with you. If you have more than one support person with you, they may take turns coming into the treatment area, but please help us to keep only one visitor at your chair side at a time.
• All visitors in the treatment area must be at least 18 years old and not pregnant.
• If you schedule your Infusion Center Appointment for the same day that you see your provider, there is an increased likelihood that your wait time will be increased.
• Please check in no more than 30 minutes prior to your appointment time.
• The Infusion Center has appointments available to schedule as early as 8 a.m.

What to Expect at the Infusion Center

The Infusion Center offers a wide variety of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, migraine headaches and other conditions requiring infusion therapy. Depending on what type of infusion you receive, your stay at the Infusion Center may be as little as 30 minutes or multiple hours. Infusion therapy is a difficult process for many: our goal is to make your time with us as comfortable and healing as possible, while providing you with safe, quality and compassionate care.

Insurance Pre-Authorization

Some procedures require pre-authorization from your insurance company 24 to 48 hours in advance of your scheduled treatment. You will be notified by our patient access staff prior to your scheduled appointment if your treatment has not been approved by your insurance company. We will involve you in your pre-authorization process to determine the best option for you.

Laboratory Service

Lab tests are often necessary before you start your scheduled treatment: your physician will order these tests. For your convenience, laboratory service is available in the Infusion Center. Depending on the lab tests required, you may have your labs drawn on the same day of your scheduled infusion treatment or you may have your labs drawn the day before your scheduled appointment. Having your labs drawn prior to your scheduled appointment may shorten your treatment time in the Infusion Center.

Pre-Treatment Phone Call

Please expect a call from one of our staff members on the day prior to your scheduled treatment to confirm your appointment.

Check In

Because infusion medications vary in administration time and the Infusion Center schedules patients based on the anticipated infusion time, it is important for you to be on time for your appointment. Please check in at Canopy 3 at East Alabama Medical Center.

Settle In to a Comfortable Room

• We will escort you to the treatment room. The room includes storage for your personal belongings and a shared bathroom. A nurse will check your blood pressure, height, weight and medical history. In addition to other infusion therapies, all of the caregivers in the Infusion Center are trained in IV administration.
• Family Members or friends are welcome to accompany you

Your Comfort is Our Priority—Infusion and Immunotherapy Center Amenities

• TV
• WiFi Internet access
• Pillows and warmed blankets
• Snacks upon request: pudding, fruit cups, applesauce, jello, frozen juice bars, crackers, chips, cookies, instant soup and assorted hot and cold beverages
• Meals for patients with treatments lasting more than 3 hours—your menu order will be delivered at your request

How to Prepare for Your Treatment

• Unless directed otherwise by your physician, please drink plenty of fluids the day before your infusion treatment.
• Consider bringing personal diversions, in case our entertainment cart items are in use by others during your treatment time: books, magazines, laptops, iPads, iPods, portable DVD players and cell phones are good choices.
• Temperatures fluctuate in the Infusion Center, so please dress comfortably and consider dressing in layers. Warmed blankets are always available if you are chilly.
• If your stay is less than 3 hours, you are welcome to bring snacks or a sack lunch. A family member accompanying you may wish to bring snacks as well, as their meal is not included in the treatment. In consideration of other patients, we encourage foods with little or no odor.

Factors Influencing your Treatment Time and Length of Stay

Lab Tests

• Having your labs drawn at least a day prior to your scheduled appointment may shorten your treatment time in the Infusion Center.
• If your lab tests are drawn on the day of your treatment, it may take 30 minutes to 1 hour to receive the results.
• In many cases, your nurse must report the results to your physician before any preparation of your medication. Sometimes, treatment may be postponed based on your lab results.

Medication Preparation

• The pharmacy will prepare your treatment medications as ordered by the physician. For maximum effectiveness, these medications will be only prepared after you arrive.
• Medication preparation time may take up to 1 hour.

Treatment Time

• Before Treatment Pre-Medication: Your physician may order medicine to prevent nausea or anxiety. This may take approximately 30 minutes.
• Your total treatment time will vary depending on the type of regimen you receive.
• Your nurse will be able to estimate the length of time of your treatment.

Your Questions and Concerns are Important to Us

While in the Infusion Center, you may have many questions. Please discuss any questions with your infusion nurse. If he or she is not able to answer your question, it will be relayed to the appropriate staff or physician for an answer as soon as possible.

We Care about How You Feel

Please be open and honest with the staff about how your treatment is going and how you are feeling. You will find that you will have good days and bad days. We are here for you and your care. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your medical team. Our goal is to help you in any way we can during this difficult time.

Going Home

At the time of your discharge, your nurse will provide you and your family with important written information about your treatment and written discharge instructions. If you are given a medication to help you relax (sedative) during your treatment, you will be required to have a responsible person to drive you home. Please arrange to have an escort available at your estimated time of discharge.

Infusion Center Location

The Infusion Center is located at Canopy 3 at East Alabama Medical Center. A volunteer from the information desk would be happy to assist you with directions.