Infusion Centers

Infusions for Cancer

What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells, control their growth, or relieve pain symptoms. Chemotherapy may involve one drug, or a combination of two or more drugs, depending on the type of cancer and its rate of progression. Chemotherapy can be used in combination with other treatments such as surgery or radiation, to make sure all cancer cells have been eliminated.

Chemotherapy is administered in three ways:

  1. Intravenous (IV) is by far the most common method. A needle is inserted into a vein and attached with tubing to a plastic bag holding the chemotherapy drugs. The needle is taken out at the end of each treatment. For some patients who undergo several chemotherapy sessions, a catheter, another type of plastic tubing, is inserted into one of the large veins and left in place during the entire chemotherapy regimen. Some patients have a metal or plastic disc known as a "port" implanted under the skin, to serve as an IV connection device. IV bags are attached to a tall metal stand with wheels, providing some mobility. Some patients wear a small pump outside the body, with minimal interference to their normal routine. Other patients may have a drug pump surgically inserted into their body.
  2. Oral chemotherapy drugs are taken by mouth, either in pill or liquid form.
  3. Injections are administered into the muscle, under the skin, or directly into a cancer lesion, depending on the type or location of the cancer.
Side effects vary from patient to patient and with the type of chemotherapy drugs used. The good news is that there are therapies to help you cope with some side effects, and lost hair does grow back, although sometimes in a different color or texture.

The most common side effects of chemotherapy include:

  • Temporary hair loss
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Pain
  • Increased risk of infection
  • Depression
  • Increased sun sensitivity
  • Numbness or weakness in the hands and feet
Download our Infusion brochure to learn more about Transfusions for Outpatients
Blood Supply
Baptist Hospital is supplied by the Northwest Florida Blood Center. Blood is collected from volunteer donors, most who are from the Pensacola area. Blood is collected in sterile, non-reusable bags. Each donor is screened for diseases according to regulations of the Food and Drug Administration and the American Association of Blood Banks. Every unit of blood is tested for hepatitis, the AIDS virus, and other disease-causing pathogens. The blood is used only when all tests are negative.
Types of Blood Components
When a unit of blood is collected and tested, it is separated into different components or parts. In that way, one unit of donor blood may meet the needs of more than one patient. Each component is prepared to supply what is needed.
Types of Donors
Unless requested by the patient, blood will be selected from volunteer donors who have your same or compatible blood type. If circumstances allow, you may request to be transfused with your own blood (autologous) or the blood of particular friends or family members (directed).
Blood collection takes place at Northwest Florida Blood Center. All blood is tested under the same regulations as any other unit. The blood is then sent to the Baptist Hospital Blood Bank where it is stored until the patient is ready for the transfusion. Directed units are not safer than volunteer donor units, although you may feel more at ease knowing who donated the blood for you. There is an additional handling cost associated with both autologous and directed blood.
If you want to use autologous or directed donor blood, you should contact your doctor for a written prescription. You or your doctor will schedule an appointment with the Blood Center (850.434.2535). It usually takes about three days for the blood to be collected and tested. For more information about these services, please call 850.469.2455.
The Transfusion Procedure
A sample of your blood will be collected before the transfusion. A special blood bank arm band links you to the sample of blood. You must leave this arm band on until after your transfusion. The sample is used by the hospital blood bank to find compatible blood. Even though your blood type does not change, a new sample must be collected for each transfusion. Rarely, a patient will develop blood factors which make it difficult to find compatible blood products. If so, it may be necessary to delay transfusion a few hours, overnight, or even longer until safe units can be obtained.
Once the components are ready for transfusion, the Infusion Center nursing staff will prepare an intravenous (IV) site and take your temperature and blood pressure. You may be given Tylenol® or Benadryl® to make you feel more comfortable. The entire transfusion may take several hours. During the transfusion, the nurse will monitor you . If you start feeling badly, immediately tell your nurse. Every effort is made to ensure that the blood you receive is safe, but some patients are sensitive to things not identified in the testing.
After the Transfusion
Once the transfusion is complete, you will be asked to remain under supervision by the nurse for 15 to 20 minutes. When you go home, be aware of any side effects you may have.

Symptoms that may occur after your transfusion:

  • Unexplained fever
  • Hard, shaking chill
  • Unusual headache
  • Itching, welts or rash
  • Dark urine
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Swelling of feet or hands
  • Severe shortness of breath
  • Bleeding at the IV site even after applying pressure

If any of these symptoms develop within two weeks after your transfusion, notify your doctor immediately.

Definitions
Packed Cells – Contains mostly red blood cells given to build up the ability to carry oxygen.
Platelets – Very small cells that help control bleeding from bruising. They act as a natural "bandage" in your body. Platelets are usually given as "pooled platelets" from more than one donor or as a plateletpheresis from a single donor.
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) – Used to replace clotting factors or other proteins that your body may be lacking. These clotting factors act with platelets to prevent bleeding. No platelets or red blood cells are in a unit of FFP.
Cryoprecipitate – Replaces very specific clotting factors and the volume is much less than a unit of plasma.