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The former Outpatient Observation Unit at Faulkner Hospital has transformed itself into a busy service providing a variety of infusion and transfusion services to patients in the Boston area and beyond. Now the ever-expanding Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Transfusion Unit is sought by many patients as it provides a private and convenient experience for outpatient services.
Before the BW/F program was underway, BWH outpatients received their transfusion and infusion services in a cramped area, allowing little privacy for what could often be lengthy outpatient visits. Now, with BWH referrals going to the Faulkner-based unit, patients have welcomed the change. As a result, Faulkner’s volume has grown and BWH found a more appropriate space in which to deliver outpatient infusion and transfusion services that are very much in demand.
Whether someone needs a treatment for their arthritis, immunodeficiency disease, osteoporosis or a handful of other conditions, care is delivered in a spacious unit in one of four private rooms or two semi-private rooms. The service provides access to approximately 225 patients on a monthly basis.
“The service has grown substantially over a span of three years,” said Barbara Perron, RN, assistant vice president of Nursing at Faulkner Hospital. The unit that initially served 105 patients a month doubled its volume when BWH and Faulkner joined forces and the BW/F Transfusion Unit was born.
During FY01, the BW/F transfusion unit provided care to 1,600 patients, 500 of which were BWH referrals. At the close of FY 02, the unit had provided care for 2,400 patients, 1,100 of which were BWH referrals.“The success of the unit is in large part due to its wonderful staff, who are all committed to treating patients with warmth and compassion, as if they were their family members," said Perron.
“Some of our therapeutic treatments can last as long as eight hours, so it is imperative to create the right tone and setting for such a lengthy outpatient visit. We are proud to report that patients’ feedback has been overwhelmingly positive to our new and improved approach and location,” added Perron.