Family Resources

• Your child will receive their medication through an IV (a small tube placed in a vein, usually in the arm)
  • Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of their appointment, as this can make IV placement easier
• If your child will have a port accessed for treatment or lab draws:
  • Apply lidocaine cream to the port site before arriving for your appointment
  • If you do not have lidocaine cream, ask your care team for a prescription before your visit
• Infusion appointments may last several hours
  • Bring comfort items, activities, snacks and drinks to help your child stay comfortable during the visit
  • Food and drinks are available for purchase in the hospital cafeterias and café
  • A refrigerator and microwave are available in the clinic
• Bring a list of your child's regular medications and bring any emergency or quick-relief medications they may need
• Please also bring supplies that your child may need during the day, such as:
• Feeding tube supplies
• Trach supplies
• Scheduled or rescue medications 
• Diapers
• Formula
• Phone charger
• Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for the entire visit
  • Up to two visitors may attend the appointment with the patient
  • If a caregiver other than a parent brings the child, please bring a written note from the parent to the visit

Please call us at 202-476-6242 if:

• Your child has had a fever within the past 24 hours
• You expect to be more than 15 minutes late for your appointment
  • If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, your appointment may need to be rescheduled

• You will come to the Specialty Infusion Clinic at the Main Hospital, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20010
• Go to the First Floor, East Tower
• Check in at the front desk (Booth #1). If your child has a fever or is not feeling well, please let the front desk know right away
• Wait in the waiting room until a nurse calls your name
• Your child will get an ID bracelet. This bracelet must stay on until you leave

• Once your child's name has been called, a nurse will check your child's height, weight, temperature and blood pressure
• The nurse will ask if your child has been sick or had any symptoms of being sick
• If it is safe for your child to get their medicine, the nurse will order the medicine. The pharmacy cannot prepare your child’s medicine until you are checked in

While you wait for your child's medicine:

• The Child Life team may visit to help your child feel more comfortable with getting an IV
• Let our team know if your child wants to use vibrating buzzy, cold spray or lidocaine cream for their IV
• Our team will get any other medicine that your child's doctor ordered to help keep them safe during their infusion

• Your child can go to the playroom with an adult, relax, read or do homework
• The nurse will check on your child during the infusion by watching their blood pressure, heart rate and temperature

• Before you leave, make sure you know your child’s medicines, doses and possible side effects. We will tell you who to call if your child has an emergency
• You can go home when your provider says your child is ready
• Please schedule your child’s next visit before you leave the Specialty Infusion area