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For a variety of reasons, some patients require outpatient infusion therapy (also called intravenous or IV therapy) for short- or long-term treatment. The Infusion Clinic at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin provides complete infusion therapy services to meet all patient needs.
Infusion therapy involves introducing a fluid (other than blood) into a vein to provide medication or other treatment that cannot be taken by mouth. Infusion therapy is provided to treat illness or counteract the side effects of treatment.
Infusion therapy may be provided for patients who need:
- Medication for chronic illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, asthma and diabetes
- Pain management
- IV hydration therapy
- Blood products such as platelets, red cells or plasma
- Low-dose chemotherapy
- IV antibiotics for an infection
- Post-transplant intravenous medications
- Immunomodulators (drugs that stimulate the immune system)
- Biological response modifiers (substances made by living cells that stimulate the body’s response to infection and disease; used for rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions)
- IV antiemetics for nausea and vomiting
- IV immune globulin to boost the body’s natural defense system against infection
- Monoclonal antibodies to suppress the immune system or to kill/inhibit cancer cells
- Therapeutic phlebotomy, which involves withdrawing a prescribed amount of blood to improve the symptoms of a blood disorder
The Infusion Clinic offers convenience for patients of Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin to receive all infusion services in one location. Depending on the type of therapy required, a patient may need to visit the Infusion Clinic for a single treatment or for continuous treatments over many weeks, months or years.
Patients are referred for infusion therapy by physicians at many Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin clinics such as the Cardiovascular Clinic, GI Clinic, Infectious Disease Clinic, Endocrine Clinic, Dermatology Clinic, Internal Medicine Clinic, Nephrology Clinic, Neurology Clinic, Neuro-Oncology Clinic, Pulmonary Clinic, Rheumatology Clinic and Radiation/Oncology Clinic.
Clinic StaffInfusion services are provided by experienced nurse clinicians who specialize in intravenous treatments and vascular access nursing. These nurses are highly skilled in providing infusion therapy and monitoring patients during their treatment.
Staff members are committed to creating the best care experience for patients. In addition to facilitating IV treatments, they teach patients how to care for themselves during therapy so they can be active participants in their health care.
Clinic ServicesTo create comprehensive care for patients, the Infusion Clinic team also provides:
- Assessment and evaluations of patient health status for referring physicians
- Educational and instructional materials
- Procurement of blood samples for lab testing
- Updates to primary care physicians
- Ongoing reviews of services with primary physicians to promote the best treatment outcomes
- Documentation of infusion therapy processes
- Central line catheter care and troubleshooting
- Placement of peripheral inserted central catheter (PICC) lines
Clinic Location The Infusion Clinic is located in room 3821 on the third floor of the East Clinics building.
AppointmentsTo schedule an appointment in the Outpatient Infusion Center, please call 414-805-3666 or 800-272-3666. A physician’s order is required for infusion therapy services.
Author: Marla Fraunfelder Date: Dec. 17, 2008 |
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