Deaconess staff are gathered in the new GI Specialty Center to celebrate something new in the tri-state area — a place just for children to receive IV medication.
This can be blood draws, chemotherapy and many other meds.
Scheduling for patients in the new Pediatric Infusion Center at the Gateway Campus in Warrick County will begin soon.
Prior to this, anyone under 18 would receive IV meds in the general hospital, which isn’t ideal, said Allie Ingler, Chief Administrative Officer.
“So obviously it wasn't as convenient and as comfortable, and specific for them and so this is going to allow easier access,” Ingler said. “Parents often have to miss work or arrange for transportation for their children to come in for infusion.”
The kid-friendly space includes two private infusion bays and a group infusion bay for three individuals, along with games and volunteers to keep them company. The rooms themselves are bright with pastel animal wallpapering.
The facility is staffed with infusion, and pediatric nurses.
Luke Stoll, 20, started receiving IV anti-inflammatory meds for Crohn’s Disease at age 15 in the general Deaconess Hospital. He surveyed the new children’s area on Wednesday.
“I would say I'd be a lot more comfortable in this scenario for sure,” he said.
His mother Stephanie Stoll was also in attendance. “It's just important for pediatrics to have that specialized care and just to meet the needs, because it's a scary situation,” she said.
While such facilities are common in large children’s hospitals, it’s the first for Deaconess and the tri-state area.
Medical Building 6 which houses the infusion center, broke ground in 2020.
The building is utilized by the GI endoscopy procedure area on the first floor, gastroenterology practices in the second floor, and infusion centers on the third floor. Adult patients recently began using the new facility.
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WNIN to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Give to grow our local reporting today. Donate
