What to Expect at an Infusion Center

The Medical Director of the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, Bogdan Eftimie, MD, is often asked by patients what to expect when they need treatment at the Infusion Center. Many have cancer, aren’t feeling well, and are wary of the experience.

“No one comes to the Infusion Center because they woke up in the morning and said to themselves, ‘I want to go get an infusion,’ he said. “They have to come here because of unforeseen health circumstances.”

Dr. Eftimie will offer an online presentation, “What to Expect at the Infusion Center” on April 9, at 5 p.m. This presentation will describe the patient experience and the therapies offered. Watch live online at Facebook.com/WashingtonHealth1, or at your convenience on YouTube at YouTube.com/@Washington_Health.

“We try to make the experience as peaceful and pleasant as we can,” Dr. Eftimie said. “Our team tells patients that we recognize that this is a very scary situation, but we follow standard pathways of care and are focused on patient safety. Patients can rest assured that they’re getting care from a team certified in infusion therapy.”

Most patients at the Infusion Center, he added, need chemotherapy for cancer, a blood transfusion or platelet therapy, or antibiotics for infection. “Cancer treatment is 70% of what we do at the Infusion Center, which is part of the USCF - Washington Cancer Center,” Dr. Eftimie explained. It is located near the hospital at 2500 Mowry Ave., Fremont, in the Washington West building.

Excellence in Treatment Locally

Dr. Eftimie, who has been working with Washington Health for the past eight years, through their partnership with UCSF Health, said the center offers comfort and convenience for local residents.

Having a center outside of the hospital provides patients with a more peaceful experience that is less stressful and hurried. “Having the center separate from the hospital brings together many aspects of holistic cancer care, including social work and specialized clinical teams,” he noted.

When coming to the Infusion Center, patients will find a quiet environment and a staff that is exceedingly kind. Dr. Eftimie explained, “It takes a special person to be an infusion nurse, and ours are the best. They are as understanding as possible during a difficult time.” Overlooking a natural light atrium, the center surrounds a centralized nurse station that keeps the caregivers close to patients. All nurses are certified in chemotherapy and biotherapy, and many have advanced training in oncology.

An infusion can be short or take several hours, depending on the medication given. Patients are encouraged to bring a friend or loved one to sit with them, or work on a laptop, knit, read, or listen to music. Most of the bays have television. Patients are seated in a comfortable, reclining infusion chair, and offered beverages and snacks.

Adding to the caring atmosphere, there is an area with free handmade hats, head scarves and other items of comfort donated by cancer survivors.

Patient Safety is Paramount

The team is especially focused on patient safety, assuring that patients get what they need when they need it, according to Dr. Eftimie. The pharmacy team is highly trained and partners with a patient’s physician during every step of treatment.

“We give patients access to the best physicians and subspeciality doctors, state-of-the-art treatments, and the newest generation of medications available,” he added.

Dr. Eftimie will present on this topic, April 9, at 5 p.m. People can watch live online at Facebook.com/WashingtonHealth1, or on YouTube at YouTube.com/@Washington_Health.

For those who miss the live presentation, the video will also be added to the Washington Health library of YouTube videos. For more information on the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, visit https://www.washingtonhealth.com/cancer.