Your First Visit to an Outpatient Infusion Center

Whether you are going for chemotherapy, IV antibiotics, biologic therapy, IVIG, or another IV treatment, your first visit to an outpatient infusion center can feel unfamiliar and intimidating. Knowing what to expect — the space, the process, the people, and how to prepare — makes a real difference in how that first visit goes.

What Is an Outpatient Infusion Center?

An outpatient infusion center (also called an infusion suite, infusion clinic, or chemo suite) is a clinical facility where patients come for scheduled IV treatments and return home the same day. It is staffed by registered nurses specialized in infusion therapy and oncology nursing.

Depending on the facility, it may be:

• Part of a hospital’s oncology or ambulatory care department
• A freestanding clinic (sometimes operated by a specialty pharmacy or independent infusion company)
• Part of a physician’s office practice (particularly oncology practices)

The physical setup varies, but most infusion centers feature:

• Reclining chairs arranged in an open bay, sometimes with curtain dividers for privacy
• Private infusion rooms in some centers (available by request in others, or assigned based on clinical need)
• A nursing station visible from the infusion area
• IV poles and infusion pumps at each chair
• TVs (sometimes individual, sometimes shared) and often charging ports
• A beverage station (water, juice, tea) in most centers
• Clean, well-lit, and reasonably quiet environments designed for patient comfort

Before Your First Appointment

Scheduling and insurance

When your infusion is ordered, your physician’s office or the infusion center’s scheduling team will:

• Contact your insurance to verify coverage and obtain prior authorization (this process can take days to a week or more for some treatments)
• Schedule your appointment time
• Contact you with arrival instructions

If you do not hear back within a few days of your physician placing the order, call to confirm the appointment is being set up.

Pre-authorization and cost

Many infusion treatments require prior authorization. Delays in authorization can delay treatment. If your appointment is approaching and you have not received confirmation, contact the infusion center or your physician’s office. For questions about your cost share (copay, deductible, coinsurance), call your insurance company or the infusion center’s billing department — ask specifically: “What is my expected out-of-pocket cost per visit?”

Transportation and logistics

• Plan for a longer stay than you expect on a first visit. Labs, consent, and clinical assessment before the first infusion can add 30–60 minutes to the visit, independent of the infusion itself.
• Arrange transportation if you will be receiving sedating pre-medications (antihistamines, certain sedatives). Some patients can drive themselves; others should not. Ask your care team what you will be receiving.
• Ask about parking in advance — large hospital campuses in particular can require significant walking from the parking structure to the infusion center.

What to Bring

Essentials

• Photo ID and insurance card
• List of all medications (including vitamins and supplements) — particularly if this is your first visit at a new facility
• A list of your allergies
• Any paperwork provided by your physician

For your comfort (especially for long infusions)

• Phone or tablet, earbuds/headphones — most centers have WiFi
• A book, magazine, or other entertainment you can use with one hand
• A light sweater or blanket — infusion centers are often cool; some provide blankets but you may prefer your own
• Snacks and water or beverages — many centers permit and even encourage eating during infusions. Bring food you find appealing, particularly if nausea may be a concern.
• A companion (one person is usually welcome) — check the center’s policy, particularly if it is a high-volume oncology unit
• Something to do with your hands — knitting, drawing, or puzzles all work well during long infusions

Leave at home

• Valuables or large amounts of cash
• Strong perfume or cologne — some patients in infusion centers are sensitive to scents during treatment
• Sick companions or children — avoid bringing anyone who is unwell to protect immunocompromised patients in the center

Arriving: What Happens First

Check-in

You will check in at the reception desk. Present your ID and insurance card. You may need to complete paperwork or update contact/insurance information.

Pre-infusion assessment

A nurse will bring you to your chair (or a room) and perform a pre-infusion assessment:

• Weight — many treatment doses are calculated based on current body weight; it will be measured before each visit
• Vital signs — blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, oxygen level
• Blood draw — many treatments require labs (complete blood count, chemistry panel, sometimes drug levels) before each infusion to confirm your counts are adequate for treatment. If you are having blood drawn today, it will typically be done from your PICC or port, or from an arm vein.
• Review of how you have been feeling since your last visit (or since treatment was prescribed)

Lab results

If labs are drawn that day, results typically take 30–90 minutes. For some treatments (particularly chemotherapy), the oncologist must review and approve the results before the treatment can proceed. This waiting period is normal and built into your visit time.

Your Infusion Chair

Once your infusion is approved to proceed, your nurse will connect you to the IV treatment:

• Your PICC or port will be accessed and flushed
• The pump and tubing are set up
• Pre-medications are given first (if prescribed), followed by the primary treatment
• Your nurse will check on you regularly

Your chair area:

• The recliner typically adjusts to semi-supine or fully reclined positions
• Your IV pole and pump will be positioned beside you
• You can usually use your phone, tablet, eat, and chat with a companion
• The infusion pump will be set and running — you can observe it but should not adjust any settings

If you need the restroom: Tell your nurse before getting up. In most cases, your IV pole is on wheels and you can take it with you. Your nurse may need to adjust your pump or disconnect you briefly if the trip is not straightforward.

How Long Will Your Visit Take?

Infusion times vary enormously by treatment:

Add 30–90 minutes for pre-infusion labs, pre-medications, and post-infusion observation, and plan accordingly.

Ask at scheduling: “How long should I plan to be at the infusion center for my first visit?”

During the Infusion: Managing Your Time

For short infusions, the time passes quickly. For long infusions, a few practical strategies:

Stay comfortable. Ask for a pillow, blanket, or footrest. Adjust your chair position. Tell your nurse if you are cold, uncomfortable, or if the room is too noisy or bright.

Eat when you feel like it. Eating during infusions is generally fine and sometimes recommended (to maintain blood sugar, manage nausea). Light, bland foods are often better tolerated for treatments likely to cause nausea.

Move periodically. For very long infusions, gentle repositioning every 1–2 hours and getting up for the restroom when needed helps prevent stiffness and reduces DVT risk.

Tell your nurse right away if you feel unwell during the infusion — itching, rash, shortness of breath, unusual pain at the site, chills, or any new symptom. Do not wait for your nurse to come by; press your call button.

After the Infusion

Before you leave

Your nurse will:

• Disconnect the infusion and flush your catheter/port
• Check your vital signs if indicated
• Review any side effects to watch for at home
• Confirm your next appointment
• Provide discharge instructions

Ask before leaving:

• “Are there any side effects I should expect in the next 24–48 hours?”
• “What symptoms should make me call you or go to the ER?”
• “When is my next appointment?”
• “Do I need any prescriptions for anti-nausea medications or other supportive care at home?”

Going home

• If you received sedating medications: ensure your driver is available
• Have your emergency numbers accessible for the first 24 hours
• Rest as needed

Subsequent Visits

Each visit follows the same basic pattern. Over time:

• The process feels much more routine and less anxiety-provoking
• Your infusion nurses will know you by name and understand your preferences
• You will develop a rhythm with when to eat, what to bring, and how to make the time comfortable

Many patients find that the infusion center becomes a familiar, even supportive environment — a place where the staff understand exactly what they are going through.

Related Guides in This Series

• IV Medications and Infusion Therapy Explained
• Chemotherapy Infusion: What to Expect
• Going Home with an Implanted Port
• Allergies and Sensitivities During IV Therapy
• OPAT: Outpatient IV Antibiotics at Home
• Therapeutic Apheresis: What to Expect

This guide is for educational purposes. Infusion center environments, procedures, and protocols vary by facility. Your specific infusion team will provide instructions tailored to your treatment and situation.