Infusion therapy at Studer Family Children’s Hospital
The pediatric infusion center at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola provides outpatient infusion services for infants and children. Our care team is specially trained and experienced working with children with complex medical needs. We work closely with your child’s referring doctor to deliver infusion therapy as part of your child’s care plan. And if your child is receiving chemotherapy, an on-site pediatric oncologist monitors your child during and after therapy.
We start each appointment with a conversation. Tell us how your child is feeling and any concerns you may have. Your child’s care team cares for the whole child – physically and emotionally. We personalize your child’s therapy for their specific health needs and offer comfort during treatment.
Types of intravenous (IV) treatments
An infusion is a way to give medications and treatments through the veins. IV treatments include:
- Biotherapies
- Blood products, such as red blood cells or platelets
- Chemotherapy
- Hydration therapy
- Immunoglobulin
- Medication infusions, such as antibiotics
- Therapeutic phlebotomy
Caring for the whole child
Children needing infusion therapy may spend a lot of time in our care. The infusion center was designed to meet the needs of your child and family – with semi-private suites and activities for your child to do while receiving treatment. Certified child life specialists at Studer Family Children’s Hospital are experienced in helping children and families cope with stress and other challenges while they are receiving care. Our team meets with your child and family and works with you to determine the right plan for support. When your child is feeling anxious about having an IV or spending hours getting therapy, our specialists can provide positive distractions to help calm your child and help the time go by. Our goal is to make infusion therapy a more positive experience for children and families.
How to prepare for your child’s infusion
There are many things you can do to prepare for your child’s appointment. From bringing comfort items and snacks to applying numbing creams – how you prepare for your child’s appointment can make a big difference.
Please bring the following items with you to your child’s appointment:
- Insurance card(s)
- Medical history, if available
- List of current medications and dosage
- Books
- Comfort items, such as a blanket and warm socks
- Handheld games or devices
- Small plastic toys
- Snacks, bottles or drinks (avoid foods and beverages with strong odors, as they may cause nausea in other patients)
To help reduce pain from an IV poke, ask your child’s doctor for a prescription for EMLA cream. This is a numbing cream that you can apply to your child’s skin where the IV will be inserted one hour before the IV is placed.
Frequently asked questions
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What should I do if my child is sick?
If your child is sick or has a cough, please call your child’s doctor to find out if you need to reschedule your child’s appointment.
If you are told to keep their appointment, please let us know at check-in that your child is sick. Since many children receiving infusion therapy have a weakened immune system, it’s very important that we help keep your child separate from other patients.
If your child’s doctor says to cancel the appointment, please call to reschedule.
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Who can come to the appointment?
You are encouraged to stay with your child throughout their treatment. To protect our patients with weakened immune systems, we ask that only healthy siblings over the age of 16 enter the treatment area.
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How do I get to the infusion center?
The pediatric infusion center is located inside Studer Family Children's Hospital Pediatric Blood and Cancer on the fifth floor of the Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Medical Office Building, next to Studer Family Children's Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola.
Please park in the 9th Avenue parking garage. Enter through the Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Medical Office Building and take the elevator to the Studer Family Children's Hospital Pediatric Multispecialty Clinic on the fifth floor. For more directions, please call 850-416-4941.
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What is chemotherapy?
One of the main ways to treat cancer is with chemotherapy, a type of medication that is used to fight cancer cells. There are many different types of chemotherapy. Your pediatric oncologist will choose the type of chemotherapy that is best for your child.