New Infusion Center at Kennestone Hospital

Staff Report

WellStar Health System opened a new state-of-the-art Outpatient Infusion Center at Kennestone Hospital this May, providing patients undergoing chemotherapy with a higher level of comfort, amenities and emotional support during their cancer treatments.

Located on the WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center campus, the infusion center capacity expanded by 25 percent. Twenty motorized, reclining chairs better accommodate patients and help minimize wait times. In the future, the space can expand to accommodate up to 25 patients at a time.

The 6,600 square-foot area is divided into semi-private nursing bays, each with a nurse dedicated to four patients. Each patient area includes a media cabinet, adjustable lighting and a closet for personal belongings. Also, with the new expanded space, there is room for visitors to accompany patients during their treatment, providing patients with comfort and support.

“The new Outpatient Infusion Center at Kennestone Hospital was designed with the patient in mind,” said Joel Helmke, vice president of oncology services. “We made sure that our patients not only have access to the most advanced treatments and technology, but there is enough room for family and visitors. Having someone there to hold your hand can provide healing and assures patients they are not alone in their fight against cancer.”

Patients have benefitted from changes, large and small in the new space.

“They have put so much thought into the new center,” said Sherry Reid, a patient undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer who only has two infusion treatments remaining. “I won’t be here much longer, but the improvements have made it so much nicer. There’s a light over the chair with a dimmer and a flat screen TV. The volume comes out of a speaker in the handheld remote instead of the TV which makes for a more peaceful environment.

“I would have really benefitted from some of the updates when I first started infusion treatments,” she continued. “There are automatic doors, so you don’t have to pull the door open. You don’t have to manually adjust the chairs now because they’re motorized. They really thought of everything when they planned this space for people with cancer.”

The new infusion center is conveniently located in building 340, just steps from the Cancer Center parking deck.