Infusion therapy involves giving medicine intravenously—by needle or catheter—in order to deliver it directly to the bloodstream.

 

Your physician has recommended infusion therapy because the medicine you need works best when given intravenously (directly into the bloodstream). Some medicines can be swallowed as a pill or liquid and others work well given in shot form. Certain medicines—like the kind your physician has prescribed—must be delivered directly to the bloodstream in order to be effective.

 

Infusion therapy schedules vary from person to person. Your physician will talk to you about your infusion therapy schedule.

 

The Infusion Center is open seven days a week. We’re available for people who need daily treatments throughout the work week as well as on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Take a look at our hours to find times that work for your infusion therapy needs.

 

Every person responds differently to infusion therapy so it’s difficult to predict how long each appointment may last. Because of this, it’s important to have a flexible schedule on your infusion therapy days.

 

The Infusion Center team includes highly skilled, experienced registered nurses who deliver therapy as prescribed by each patient’s physician. All YRMC Infusion Center nurses are certified in CPR and chemotherapy.

 

You’ll be most comfortable in loose clothing on infusion therapy days. Also, please don’t wear cologne or perfume as other patients may be sensitive to fragrances.

 

Books, e-readers, games and laptops; people bring many items to pass the time during infusion therapy appointments. Pack some food and water or juice, too. Remember to bring any medication you may need during your infusion therapy appointment.

 

YRMC has special “infusion” chairs designed for the comfort of people undergoing infusion therapy. These recliners feature gentle massage and also have heaters, both of which you control. If you’re easily chilled, you still may want to pack a sweater or small blanket.

 

Call (928) 442-8741 to schedule your appointment. The Infusion Center team will work directly with your physician’s office staff to verify prior authorization, which will allow you to begin your infusion therapy quickly.

 

We’re located at YRMC East in Prescott Valley. We have a map to help you with parking and another to take you to our location within the hospital.

 

For your first appointment, bring your insurance information and other identification.

 

A family member or companion can keep you company while you’re receiving infusion therapy. However, for the comfort of other patients, please keep visitors to a minimum. Other family members are welcome to visit YRMC’s Cafeteria for meals, snacks and beverages. They also may want to stop by the YRMC Gift Shop.

 

Children under age of 12 are not permitted in patient care areas, like the Infusion Center. All children must be accompanied by an adult at the hospital. Also, during certain times of the year, visits by children may be restricted. You may want to call the hospital in advance to find out if restrictions are in place.

 

Contact Health Information Management to get copies of your medical records.

 

YRMC’s Patient Financial Services can help with questions regarding your hospital bill.

 

YRMC’s Infusion Center offers a number of specialty therapies, including:

• Tysabri—YRMC’s Infusion Center is a certified Tysabri administration site. Tysabri can slow worsening disability and reduce the number of flare-ups among adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). It also is used to treat Crohn’s Disease, which is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Lumizyme (alglucosidase alfa)—YRMC’s Infusion Center participates in the Lumizyme ACE Program® (Alglucosidase Alfa Control and Education). This means YRMC is certified to provide patients the enzyme replacement therapy, alglucosidase alfa, also known as Lumizyme. This infusion therapy is used to treat Pompe’s disease, an inherited neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness.
• Specialty Drug Therapies—Infusion therapies that treat Gaucher disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other diagnosed medical conditions are available through YRMC’s Infusion Center.
• Clinical Trials—YRMC’s Infusion Center participates in clinical trials for drug treatments that are in the final stages of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) testing. Your physician will have information on any clinical trials that pertain to you and your medical condition.

 

YRMC’s Infusion Center does not offer renal dialysis as one of its intravenous therapies. However, the Arizona Department of Health Services provides a list of dialysis centers.