Cancer Program Annual Report - St. Clair Hospital

Grand Opening:
Sipe Infusion Center
July 2011
July marked the opening of the Sipe Infusion Center. This capital improvement was made possible through a
generous donation of a St. Clair patient. Denny Sipe was a frequent visitor to St. Clair’s Infusion Center. As part of
his legacy he wanted to leave behind a comfortable place for all cancer patients to be treated. Design of the center
included input from patients and staff as well as incorporating research on the design of infusion centers.
The bright space includes many amenities for patient comfort, privacy, and safety. Eleven treatment chairs are
arranged in pods of one or two chairs with sliding glass windows separating the pods. The design allows patients
to choose private space or the ability to converse with fellow patients. Reclining treatment chairs are equipped
with heat and massage and a
pivoting table for meal trays and
refreshments. Four private
bedrooms are available for those
patients requiring day-long
treatments or protective isolation.
The nurses’ work stations are only
steps away from the treatment
chairs, keeping patients in a clear
line of sight even when nurses are
documenting care in the electronic
record. The close proximity of
care givers to patients provides a
sense of security to patients
receiving complex therapies. The
nursing staff is trained in
chemotherapy administration and
treatment of side effects.
The Sipe Infusion Center provides convenience with hours of operation 7 days a week. This schedule allows
patients the flexibility to continue their current lifestyle with family and work.
Staff of the Sipe Infusion Center provides services for inpatients and outpatients. This includes chemotherapy
administrations, blood transfusions, PICC insertions, and therapeutic phlebotomies. Other services available
include care, repair and declotting of central lines, IV fluid and medication administration, injections and some
diagnostic procedures.
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