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Health Matters: Providence Saint John's Health Center | 9 capacity with our old infusion room." Frost says that in addition to conducting trials of new chemotherapy treatments, the infusion center may help researchers study new ways of helping patients through the rigors of chemotherapy. "We're hoping to tap into clinical trials for patients that are using things such as virtual reality for relaxation and stress management," she says. The new facility's spaciousness will also ease our patients' access to inpatient and outpatient support services. "We have a psychosocial cancer support team, with social workers and a psychiatrist, on-site," Frost says. "If we have a patient who is anxious or struggling, we'll have people right on-site who can help." At the same time, some of the most cherished elements of the old infusion facility at Providence Saint John's will be found in the new center. Tun sees the nursing staff, who draw upon both specialized training and experience, as a particular strong point. "I know all of my nurses by name, and they 're very friendly and cheerful," she says. "At the same time, they 're very good observers, always watching to catch anything that happens." In addition to expertise, "it comes back to teamwork," Crews explains. "When patients come to the infusion center, they see us working together and know that they are being treated by people who have respect for each other." Dr. Peddi says the new infusion center will further Providence Saint John's aim of providing patient-centered care. "We want our patients to be treated in a nurturing, caring, peaceful environment," she says. "We want to be able to help them relax and look forward to completing the treatment and getting better, and I think this center fits beautifully within that vision." For more information on infusion services at Providence Saint John's Health Center, call 310-829-5511. Mary Tun, who is receiving chemotherapy to treat cancer, knows her infusion center nurses by name.

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