The DENT Infusion Center offers comfort, cutting-edge therapies, exemplary care, and more
by Christine Mann, CEO, MBA
“Twenty-five years ago, chemotherapy for neuro-oncology patients (patients with tumors of the brain and spine) was only available in hospital settings. In creating an outpatient infusion center at DENT Neurologic Institute, we have improved access and comfort for our patients. There are now many neurologic and non-neurologic conditions that benefit from tremendous breakthroughs in drug therapy. Expanding the DENT Infusion Center as a site to receive care has been wonderful for our patients and their physicians,” said Dr. Laszlo Mechtler, Medical Director of Dent Neurologic Institute, and Chief of Neuro-Oncology at both at DENT and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
In the past, autoimmune diseases were difficult to manage, resulting in significant problems for those who have these chronic conditions. A lot has changed, with providers able to offer biologic therapies — treatment that stimulates or restores the body’s immune system. Biologic therapies are often delivered through a person’s vein, rather than orally. They are a relatively new way to treat many conditions, are typically well-tolerated, and provide life-altering outcomes for patients battling chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, thyroid eye disease, brain tumors, and even ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), to name a few.
The DENT Infusion Center administers more than 85 different types of medications, including antibiotic/antiviral, anti-coagulation therapy, anti-emetics (nausea), anti-hemophilic factors, blood component stimulating factor, chemotherapy, hydration, pain management, psychiatric, and behavioral health issues, and more. They are therapies that are saving and improving the lives of those who need them. The patients who require these therapies can easily access them through the center’s two convenient locations in Amherst and Orchard Park, where they are cared for by highly trained and skilled professionals.
A significant component of the care provided at the Center involves collaborating with each patient’s physician to monitor their therapy, manage their side effects to avoid drug interactions, and ensure that they are adhering to their treatment schedules. Patients who previously received infusion therapy at the hospital say their experience at the DENT Infusion Center is easier, more accessible, and even more enjoyable. They often ask to be seated near new friends that they have made at the Center who receive their treatments at the same time.
One long-standing patient who received years of therapy at the Center recently said, “Each day that I am here, I watch you greet and care for the many and varied needs of those who come here. You make each one feel that they are the most important patient. I don’t know how you do it day after day, but I appreciate your willingness to do it.”
Not only do patients appreciate the care they receive from the highly skilled nurses who administer their IV therapies and injections, but also they appreciate the staff that helps ensure that their insurance coverage is active, and that their out-of-pocket costs are kept to a minimum. Another patient recently sent the staff a card saying, “Thank you for your kind and professional support during my infusion. You are a special group who do special work, especially well.”
Another important aspect of the Infusion Center is helping patients feel comfortable by creating an environment that offers privacy, reclining heated massage chairs, blankets, refreshments, access to WiFi, and the ability to watch movies or listen to music. Patients say they appreciate having more space, privacy, and comfort, rather than a bay of beds or chairs, surrounded by strangers with unknown illnesses. They also appreciate the ease involved in scheduling follow-up appointments, especially since the Center is open from 8 am to 6 pm daily, including Saturdays, to accommodate busy schedules.
More and more providers are choosing to send their patients to DENT Infusion Center. The Center is especially proud to have received the prestigious Intalere Healthcare Achievement Award for Patient Care Delivery and Satisfaction in 2017. The DENT Infusion Center is also one of the first infusion centers in the country to offer a new therapy for multiple sclerosis called Ocrevus, a new therapy for ALS called Radicava, a first-ever therapy for treating thyroid eye disease called Tepezza, and an infusion therapy for chronic migraines called Vyepti. Soon the Center will be administering the newly approved Aduhelm (adumanucab) to patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Visit https://www.dentinstitute.com/services/infusion-center to learn more, or call 716-250-2011.
Christine Mann, MBA, is the Chief Operating Officer at DENT Neurologic Institute, where she also serves as the Director of DENT’s Infusion Centers. She is also a founding partner of NeuroNet a group purchasing organization for specialty drugs which also provides educational resources for health care practices.
