Infusions & Chemotherapy

What is Infusion Therapy? 

Infusion Therapy involves administering medications or other treatments intravenously (through a vein). Infusion therapy is typically used when a patient cannot take medication orally or when an IV treatment is more effective. 

In treating chronic illnesses, infusion therapy tends to be more efficient since it delivers medicine, antibiotics, and/or hydration directly into the bloodstream. As a result, there is a higher absorption rate so a patient can receive treatment faster. Commonly, infusion therapy is used to treat cancer, autoimmune disorders, congestive heart failure, dehydration, infections, pain, etc.

Making It Comfortable & Convenient To Get The Care You Need

At Teton Valley Health, we recognize that getting infusions isn’t how you want to spend your day. As a result, we pride ourselves on making your infusion treatment the best it can be. As your dedicated infusion therapy team, we’re committed to providing the highest quality care and the best experience possible.

Rather than a large group setting, your treatment will be given in a quiet, safe, and comfortable environment. In addition, our medication list is robust and constantly expanding to help treat a variety of patients and their conditions. 

What Conditions Are Treated Through Infusion Therapy? 

At Teton Valley Health, you can trust you’re in the right hands. Our infusion therapy team has extensive experience and training to treat a wide variety of diagnoses including:

  • Hyperemesis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Gout
  • Psoriasis
  • Lupus
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • Primary immune deficiency diseases (PIDDs)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Magnesium deficiency
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Opioid and alcohol dependence
  • Post-operative hydration

What Types Of Infusion Therapies Are Available At TVH? 

Infusion and chemotherapy treatments are provided in a quiet, comfortable setting located inside the hospital. Our comprehensive infusion therapy services include:

Intravenous Chemotherapy and Immunological Therapy

Chemotherapy is a powerful chemical drug treatment used to kill cancer cells. While chemotherapy drugs can be given in different ways, they are often given intravenously. There are a variety of settings in which chemotherapy may be used in people with cancer:

  • To cure the cancer without other treatments. Chemotherapy can be used as the primary or sole treatment for cancer.
  • After other treatments, to kill hidden cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used after other treatments, such as radiation and surgery, to kill any cancer cells that might remain in the body.
  • To prepare a patient for other treatments. Chemotherapy can be used to shrink a tumor so that other treatments, such as radiation and surgery, are possible.
  • To ease signs and symptoms. Chemotherapy may also help relieve signs and symptoms of cancer by killing some of the cancer cells. 

Immunological Therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses the power of the body’s own immune system to prevent, control, and eliminate cancer. It can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or other cancer treatments.

Hydration Therapy

Hydration therapy is a simple treatment that delivers fluids directly into your bloodstream to treat dehydration and other conditions. Intravenous fluids may include vitamins, electrolytes, antioxidants and even medication. By allowing fluids to circulate quickly through a patient’s body, hydration therapy rapidly replenishes fluids in a way that drinking fluids cannot.

Infusion Antibiotic Therapy

Antibiotics are used to help patients fight off harmful infections. Administering antibiotics intravenously can ensure more of the medication reaches the site of a patient’s infection more quickly. At Teton Valley Health, infusion antibiotic therapy is customized for each patient’s medical needs, and therapy can be provided once a day or more often as needed to help patients achieve rapid, effective, and sustained healing.

Antiemetics

Antiemetic drugs are prescribed to help with nausea and vomiting that are side effects of other drugs. This may include drugs for anesthesia used during surgeries or chemotherapy for cancer. Antiemetic drugs are also used for nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, morning sickness during pregnancy, severe cases of the stomach flu, and other infections. The type of antiemetic drug used will depend on the cause of your nausea or vomiting. 

Blood Transfusions

Blood transfusions are a common procedure in which donated blood or blood components are given to you intravenously. A blood transfusion provides blood or blood components if you’ve lost blood due to an injury, during surgery, or have certain medical conditions including anemia, certain cancers, hemophilia, and sickle cell disease. 

Remicade Infusion Therapy

Remicade Infusion Therapy is used to treat Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis (UC) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Remicade (infliximab) helps decrease inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. For Crohn’s disease, Remicade can help decrease symptoms and achieve remission in patients who have not had success with other medical therapies.

Tysabri Infusion Treatment

Tysabri Infusion Therapy is a treatment for people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. The treatment makes flares happen less often and keeps physical disabilities from getting worse quickly. 

Recast Infusion Treatment 

Reclast is an infusion medication used to treat osteoporosis in men and in women after menopause who are at high risk of having broken bones. It may also be used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in people who are taking corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) for long periods. Recast works by slowing the breakdown of bone and keeping bones strong. It also helps to reduce the risk of broken bones.

Therapeutic Phlebotomies

Therapeutic phlebotomies are used to help manage symptoms and complications from certain blood disorders including hemachromatosis, polycythemia, porphyria, and sickle cell disease. During the procedure a prescribed amount of blood is withdrawn to help relieve symptoms.

Immune Globulin Injections

Immune Globulin helps to prevent or reduce the severity of certain infections in patients who are at risk. This medicine is collected from the pooled blood of many donors. It is used to treat immune system problems, thrombocytopenia, and Kawasaki syndrome.

Iron Infusions

Iron infusions are usually prescribed to treat iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the blood doesn’t make enough healthy red blood cells. This, in turn, affects the amount of oxygen received throughout the body. Iron infusions are the preferred treatment for people with severe iron deficiencies. It’s also an ideal alternative for people who cannot take oral medications or for people whose digestive system is failing to absorb iron.

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment

Monoclonal antibodies are among the most promising treatments for mild to moderate COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Monoclonal antibodies are medicines that act like your own antibodies and can help to stop your symptoms from getting worse and may prevent hospitalization due to worsening symptoms of COVID-19. This is NOT a replacement for the vaccine but rather is given to treat your current COVID-19 infection.

Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine therapy is used to treat people with treatment-resistant depression, a form of major depressive disorder. You are likely to be diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression if you have tried more than two antidepressant treatments and have not responded adequately. When administered in proper doses by one of our licensed providers, ketamine therapy is safe and effective for treating depression. 

Cortisol Stimulation Testing

A cortisol stimulation test measures how well the adrenal glands respond to adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) in your body. ACTH is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal glands to release a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol stimulation tests are helpful in determining if the adrenal and pituitary glands are normal. It is most often used when adrenal gland disorders, such as Addison’s disease or pituitary insufficiency, are suspected.

What To Expect With Treatment? 

The infusion is administered by injecting a needle attached to a small tube directly into one of the patient’s veins. This tube is connected to an IV bag or syringe containing the prescribed medication. Once attached to your vein, the solution slowly drips into your bloodstream.

The duration of each session depends on the medication being administered and your specific needs. Regardless of how long it takes, at Teton Valley Health, our staff are fully committed to making sure the experience is as comfortable as possible. You can bring your laptop, a book or magazine, and receive your infusions in a reclining chair. We provide warm blankets, water, snacks, and free Wi-Fi, and you can listen to music or watch a movie. 

Are There Any Side Effects?

Prior to starting your infusion therapy, our team will review your prescribed medication and discuss possible side effects with you. While rare, and depending on the medication being administered, some side effects may include:

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Itchiness at the injection site
  • Headaches

Other risks include infection at the injection site where the IV needle is inserted. The needle could also become dislodged, causing the solution to enter the surrounding tissues. To lower these risks, each infusion is monitored closely by our dedicated infusion therapy team.

How to Prepare for Infusion Therapy

At Teton Valley Health we want to ensure your treatment goes smoothly. Following are some things you can do to prepare for your upcoming infusion therapy visit. 

1. Follow your provider’s instructions

Some infusions require a patient to hydrate prior to treatment. Others may require a particular diet or taking medication prior to the infusion. Before to your infusion therapy appointment, your provider will let you know what you need to do to best prepare.

2. Write down all of your concerns

Prior to your appointment, make a list of all your questions. We are more than happy to discuss each of them with you. We’ll explain the entire process, the risk of side effects and what they may be, as well as address any other questions and/or concerns you may have. 

3. Make a list of medications you’re taking

Regardless of whether you’re taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, please let our team know. This is essential to ensuring you don’t experience an adverse reaction from mixing medications or treatments that don’t work well together. 

4. Wear comfortable clothes

While we’ll make sure you’re in a comfortable environment for your appointment, wearing something comfortable can help you feel more relaxed. In addition, wearing comfortable and loose-fitting clothing will make it easier for our team to take your vitals.

5. Clear your schedule.

You’ll want to give yourself some time to rest after each infusion treatment. Your body may either need the time to fully recover, or you may need time off if you’re experiencing side effects. It’s important to take time and avoid rushing back into work or to run other errands. 

Where to Find Infusion Therapy Services at Teton Valley Health

Teton Valley Hospital 
120 East Howard Ave
Driggs, ID 83422
(208) 354-2383

To learn more about Infusion Therapy at Teton Valley Health, please call us at (208) 354-6354.