Hope for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Disease Sufferers - Phelps Infusion Cente
October 2007
People suffering from painful and debilitating chronic inflammatory diseases
such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's Disease may be able to substantially
improve their quality of life by receiving treatments in the newly expanded
and enhanced outpatient Infusion Center at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center.
At the Phelps Infusion Center, people with inflammatory diseases receive intravenous
infusions of biologic agents--also known as inhibitors--which are the most advanced
treatment available for these disorders and have been shown to successfully
suppress disease activity.
"Biologics offer real hope for a better quality of life for people with
inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis," says rheumatologist Dr.
Richard Parrino, Medical Director of the Infusion Center. "Over-the-counter
anti-inflammatories and other treatments provide patients with limited benefits.
With the introduction of biologics, some of our patients are experiencing pain
relief they haven't had in years, and others have gone into full remission,"
says Dr. Parrino. Other inflammatory conditions treated at the Infusion Center
include juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Located in the recently opened Medical Services Building at Phelps, the Infusion
Center features 10 private patient rooms, each with a sliding glass door and
a window. This new arrangement means that patients undergoing therapy--who may
come for treatments six - eight times a year--are treated in a private, tranquil,
comfortable environment. The treatments are administered and monitored by experienced
registered nurses, and Dr. Parrino works closely with the patient's physician,
ensuring that the treatments are coordinated with the patient's overall care.
Most insurers cover the cost of these treatments.
In addition to treating chronic inflammatory conditions, the Infusion Center
at Phelps also provides antiobiotic therapy.
For more information about the Infusion Center at Phelps, call 914-366-3523.