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
La Jolla
Moores Cancer Center, 1st Floor
Hours: Weekdays, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; holidays and weekends, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
858-822-6294
This location is a hospital-licensed infusion center.
Koman Family Outpatient PavilionHours: Weekdays, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
858-249-3100
This location is a hospital-licensed infusion center.
Hillcrest
UC San Diego Medical Center, 4th Floor and 9th Floor
Hours: Weekdays, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
619-543-2639
This location is a hospital-licensed infusion center.
Encinitas
1200 Garden View Road, Suite 200, Encinitas, CA 92024 Hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
760-536-7700
This location is a hospital-licensed infusion center.
Vista
910 Sycamore Avenue, Suite 102, Vista, CA 92081 Hours: Weekdays, 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
760-536-7737
This location is a medical office-based infusion center.
Kearny Mesa
9610 Ridgehaven Court, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92123 Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
619-543-5231
This location is a community-based infusion center and can also deliver services in a home setting.
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.