Billings Clinic introduces new pediatric infusion center
Billings Clinic is pleased to announce the completion of its new 2,900 square foot, $863,000 pediatric infusion center.
The expansion doubles the size of the current infusion area and increases the number of infusion rooms by 25%, enabling more children to receive treatments at the same time.
The Pediatric Oncology and Hematology care team, whose young patients are the primary users of infusion therapy, will be housed in the new space. Last year, children from Montana and Wyoming made 565 visits to Billings Clinic for cancer-fighting infusions.
Funded entirely by philanthropy, this new state of the art center provides a dedicated and expanded space for pediatric infusion services in a calming, comfortable environment. Receiving infusions can be a long and sometimes uncomfortable process, with each infusion treatment typically lasting from one to eight hours, so having a relaxing and accommodating space for treatment is vital for patient wellbeing.
Every aspect of the child’s experience will be improved through this expansion. Privacy, comfort, family accommodations and a strong focus on natural light environment will the ease the challenges of therapy. Patients can also change the color of the lights in their rooms, giving them additional say in making their infusion space as comfortable as possible. The new space will feature five multipurpose infusion bays and exam rooms, and a restroom. High tech photographic glass which smoothly transitions from clear to opaque allows patients to make their rooms private or open with the flip of a switch.
The new center also accommodates a play area for siblings, nutrition center and access to a consulting room for families to meet privately with physicians and care team members. Visual comfort for patients, families and staff is made possible by a wall of windows featuring views of Dehler Park and the Rimrocks. Electronics and other amenities will provide welcome diversions while patients undergo hours of treatment.
The new pediatric infusion center was 100% funded by donations and highlights the critical importance of partnership with the community to ensure the highest-quality services and resources remain available.
“Our patients should continue to expect personalized, high quality care,” said Jack Staddon, MD, Billings Clinic Pediatric Oncologist. “Community support was vital to the building of this new center and we would not have it without the incredible backing of our generous supporters.”
The center will offer infusion services for a range of pediatric services as needed, including hematology, oncology, gastroenterology, neurology, rheumatology to name a few.
The former infusion space was limited to one infusion room and two small, converted exam rooms. These three retrofitted treatment rooms combined with the absence of an adjacent restroom or designated waiting room compound an already stressful and confining experience for young families.
Billings Clinic expects the center to open for patients later in February.
Billings Clinic supports the region’s largest and most comprehensive array of child-specific services with pediatric specialists in cardiology, diabetes, endocrinology, hematology, neonatal-perinatal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, radiology, pulmonology, psychiatry, and urology. The pediatrics department recently initiated a Pediatric Complex Care program to evaluate and coordinate medical services for children with chronic medical conditions.
The need for pediatric specialty services is profound and growing. Last year, chronically ill children from across the region made over 8,200 visits to Billings Clinic specialty physicians, including 4,131 patient encounters for children who live outside of Yellowstone County. Families travel long distances from North Dakota, northern Wyoming, and as far as Havre and northwest Montana for treatments and exams.
