Infusion Therapy

Our infusion centers offer expert care, comfort and convenience for patients undergoing outpatient diagnostic and therapeutic intravenous (IV) procedures. (See our Infusion Center locations.)

Available services vary by location. Your out-of-pocket costs may also vary depending on where you receive therapy. Depending on your insurance, your out-of-pocket costs may be less at a medical office-based or community-based infusion center. Your co-pay may be higher at a hospital-licensed infusion center. (Learn more about insurance coverage.)

What Is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy is a safe way to take medicines or fluids that can’t be taken by mouth. Instead, they flow through a flexible tube (catheter) or needle that’s usually placed in a vein or just under the skin — most often on your arm or chest. This is called the infusion site.

Conditions Treated by Infusion Therapy

Infusion therapy is used to treat a range of conditions, including:

• Autoimmune disorders such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis 
• Blood disorders such as hemophilia
  
• Cancer
  
• Heart failure
• Infections, such as sepsis
  
• Immune deficiencies
  

Types of Infusion Therapy

• Antibiotic therapy (See our Outpatient Parental Antibiotic Therapy Program)
• Antiviral therapy 
  
• Blood transfusions
  
• Chemotherapy
  
• Exchange transfusions
• Exchange phlebotomy
  
• Hydration / electrolyte replacement
  
• Intravesicular treatments
• Immunotherapy
  
• Immunosuppression
  

Fast-Track Infusion Services

For your convenience, some infusion services can be administered on a "fast-track," including:

• Injections
• Central line blood work / dressing changes
• Peripheral blood draw
• Phlebotomy

Ask your infusion center if the care you need qualifies for the fast track. You may also be able to receive certain medications and nutrition / hydration at our pharmacy infusion suite in Kearny Mesa.

Amenities at Moores Cancer Center 

Our main infusion center at Moores Cancer Center features a warm, comfortable and supportive environment for your treatment, complete with personal TVs, free wireless, books, games and puzzles. A complimentary foot massage may be available during infusion to help you relax. A refrigerator and microwave are also available for your use. Guests are welcome to join you in the infusion center, visit our outdoor bamboo healing garden, or dine at one of our cafeterias. 

What to Bring to Infusion Treatments

We recommend you dress in comfortable clothes and bring a sweater or jacket.

Infusion Therapy Locations

Types of Infusion Settings and Insurance Coverage

As previously mentioned, where you get your treatment can affect your out-of-pocket costs. We encourage you to talk to your health insurance company and your provider to determine what kind of location is appropriate for your infusion treatment. The different types of locations include:

• Physician's office or clinic space
• Hospital-licensed infusion center (such as Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest, and UC San Diego Health – Encinitas)
• Medical office-based infusion center (such as UC San Diego Health – Vista)*
• Community-based infusion center (such as UC San Diego Health's Pharmacy Infusion Services)*
• Home setting

*Health plans under UC San Diego Health Managed Care and other commercial insurance plans often prefer the use of community-based or medical-office based infusion centers, including the UC San Diego Health locations in Vista and Kearny Mesa, when appropriate.