Infusion therapy at Dell Children’s Medical Center
The pediatric outpatient infusion center at Dell Children’s Medical Center, part of Ascension Seton, in Central Texas provides outpatient infusion services for infants and children. Our care team is specially trained and experienced in working with children with complex medical needs. We work closely with your child’s referring doctor to deliver infusion therapy as part of your child’s care plan.
We start each appointment with a conversation. Tell us how your child is feeling and any concerns you may have. Your child’s care team cares for your whole child – physically and emotionally. We personalize your child’s therapy for their specific health needs and comfort during treatment.
Types of intravenous (IV) treatments
Infusion is a way to give medications and treatments through the veins. IV treatments include:
- Biotherapies
- Immunoglobulin
- Medication infusions, such as steroids
- Therapeutic phlebotomy
Caring for the whole child
Children who need infusion therapy may spend a lot of time in our care. The infusion center is designed to meet the needs of your child and family – with private rooms and activities to entertain your child during treatment. Our team meets with your child and family and works with you to determine the right plan for support. When your child is feeling anxious about having an IV or spending hours getting therapy, our clinical team can provide positive distractions to help calm your child and pass the time. Our goal is to make infusion therapy a positive experience for your child and family.
How to prepare for your child’s infusion
From following the preregistration process to bringing comfort items and snacks, preparing for your child’s appointment can make a big difference.
Please bring the following items with you to your child’s appointment:
- Insurance card(s)
- Complete registration via link ahead of time
- Medical history, if available
- List of current medications and dosage
- Home medications
- Books
- Comfort items, such as a blanket and warm socks
- Handheld games or devices with chargers
- Small plastic toys
- Snacks, bottles or drinks
To help reduce pain from an IV poke, we offer EMLA cream, a numbing cream applied to your child’s skin before an IV is inserted.
Frequently asked questions
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What should I do if my child is sick?
If your child is sick or has a cough, please call your child’s doctor to find out if you need to reschedule your child’s appointment.
If you are told to keep their appointment, please let us know at check-in that your child is sick. Because many children receiving infusion therapy have a weakened immune system, it’s very important that we help keep your child separate from other patients.
If your child’s doctor says to cancel the appointment, please call to reschedule.
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Who can come to the appointment?
A parent, guardian or adult caretaker is encouraged to stay with your child throughout treatment. To protect patients with weakened immune systems, siblings and other children should not accompany your child. In some situations. a healthy sibling age 16 or older may stay with your child during treatment.
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How do I get to the infusion center?
Park at the Blue visitor parking garage and enter through the main entrance of Dell Children’s Medical Center. Upon check-in, wait in the admissions area on the 3rd floor for a staff member from the infusion center to escort you to the infusion center on the 2nd floor.