Infusion/Chemotherapy

Community Hospital of Staunton has been providing infusion and chemotherapy services to our patients since 1990. The chances are that if your physician has recommended infusion or chemotherapy to treat your cancer, then you have many questions. How does it work? What are the side effects? How long will I need to receive treatment? While every patient is unique, one thing remains the same: our unwavering commitment to provide you with the most compassionate, quality care in a comfortable environment close to home.

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is one of the most powerful (and common) medical tools in fighting cancer effectively. However, for many patients, the word “chemotherapy” can be as intimidating as the word “cancer” itself. Our team of cancer specialists reminds our patients to think of it as simply a medicine. In most medical cases, the chemotherapy works by stopping the growth and reproduction of the cancer cells. It can be administered by mouth or through injection, and it can be used alone or in a combination of other methods, such as radiation or surgery. Chemotherapy is typically given in cycles, and it can be daily, weekly, or monthly depending on the type of the cancer. Since it attacks cells that can be healthy or harmful, it can cause a variety of side effects, and the severity of the effects can range significantly from patient to patient. Our staff will work directly with each and every patient, providing them with effective techniques to prevent, minimize, and manage these side effects.

What is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy, commonly referred to as IV therapy, is utilized when a patient is in need of fluids, a drug, blood or blood product, etc. When a patient needs chemotherapy administered directly into his or her blood stream, we will use infusion therapy to treat him or her. During a patient’s infusion therapy, one of our pharmacists works directly with a patient’s physician, nurse, and dietician to ensure the process goes smoothly.

We provide the following infusion therapy services in a relaxing, comfortable setting:

• Chemotherapy
• Iron transfusion
• Intravenous hydration
• Biotherapy/Immunotherapy
• Blood and blood product transfusions
• Injections
• Antibiotic treatment infusions
• Maintenance care of PICC lines and/or ports

Our medical team will work closely with you from the moment of diagnosis, through recovery, and beyond. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• The medical oncologist who, in addition to prescribing and overseeing all treatments, sees patients at our specialty clinic building. The clinic building is conveniently located behind the hospital.
• Our pharmacist who works closely with the physician in the prescribing, mixing, and dispensing of all medications.
• The nurses who administer chemotherapy have received specialized training in the safe handling and administration of all medications.

For more information on our infusion/chemotherapy services, please call 618-635-4290.