May 22, 2020

Specialty Infusion Centers: What to Expect

Specialty Infusion Blog Viv C

At Specialty Infusion Centers, we understand the challenges that are associated with navigating chronic illness and are here to make this a stress-free process from start to finish. Our coordination and clinical team are here to support you with every step, so all you have to do is come to your appointment.

 

Before we schedule your treatment

We have a team of insurance experts who will advocate on your behalf in the process of initiating or transitioning your treatment to our centers. Your coverage and benefits are thoroughly reviewed to ensure you will have the lowest out of pocket costs possible.ย 

First,ย yourย physicianย will sendย a prescription, clinical notes, demographics and your insurance card.ย 

Then, youย Care Coordinator will contact your insurance company to conduct an investigation of benefits and initiateย anย authorization to ensure coverage of your treatment.ย 

Our team works diligently to expedite the authorization processย andย willย keep you updated along the way. Onceย yourย approval is obtained, your Care Coordinator will contact you to schedule an appointmentย that works with yourย schedule.ย 

 

How to prepare for your treatment?

  • Beginning the day before and the day of your infusion be sure to adequately hydrate to make it easier for your nurse practitioner to place your IV.

  • Wear short sleeves or a shirt with sleeves that are easy to roll up. 
  • While we offer snacks and beverages, you may bring your own. 
  • Complimentaryย WiFiย and iPads are made available. 
  • For the consideration of all patients, it is important to be on time for your scheduled appointment. If you are delayed, please callย or textย us at (212)ย 776-9090ย so that we can adjust the schedule.ย 

 

What to expect during theย treatment?

From the moment you sit in our cozy, leather reclining chairs, you can expect a clean, safe, comfortable, and private experience.ย 

After ensuring normal vitals, your nurseย practitionerย will initiate your IV insertionย or injection. Pre-medications will be administrated and labs will be drawn from your IV, if applicable. We offer numbing spray prior to IV insertions, so please let your nurse practitioner know if you would like that applied.ย 

All medications are mixed on-site by your nurse practitioner after IV insertion, bypassing wait times atย pharmaciesย for medication delivery, expediting your infusion.ย 

Vitals will be taken periodically throughout your infusion and your nurse practitioner will monitor you closely for your safety.ย Time of the infusion is medication specific; it can range from 30 minutes to 5 hours.ย Injections take a few minutes with aย 30-minuteย monitoring period afterwards.

Once the infusion begins, sit back and relax in a reclining chair with Netflix on the flat screen or on individual iPads and a beverage and snack in hand. The serene environment at Specialty Infusion accommodates all your needs from kicking back with a show or book to getting work done to a midday nap. Our goal is to provide an efficient, stress-free, and pleasantย experience.ย 

While uncommon, infusion reactions can occur, your nurse practitioner is expertly trained to treat any kind of infusion reaction and will monitor you closely.ย 

We areย alwaysย here to help answer any questions, address concerns, and provide a safe and comfortable infusion experience.ย 

 

After the treatment

Upon completion of your infusion, your nurse practitioner will take a last set of vitals andย take outย your IV. We recommend maintainingย pressure on the dressing to decrease the chance of bruising at the site.ย 

We offer on-site scheduling to keep you on track with your infusion schedule.ย 

After your infusion, there are no contraindications to normal activity, so you may continue your day as usual.ย 

 

Thank you for trusting Specialty Infusion Centers with your care.ย