Medical Oncologist
Day care infusion
Day Care Infusion: — What to Expect on Infusion Day
Most chemotherapy is now given as day care — you arrive, receive your infusion, and go home the same day. Knowing what happens before you walk in makes the day much less frightening.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed August 2026
- You go home the same day — Day care chemotherapy does not mean an overnight stay in hospital.
- Most of the visit is waiting — The infusion itself is not a painful procedure — you are seated in a recliner while the drip runs.
- A nurse checks you before starting — Your blood test results are reviewed before each dose to confirm it is safe to proceed.
- Knowing what to bring helps — A few practical things make the day more manageable for you and whoever comes with you.
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At day care chemotherapy, you check in, a nurse reviews your blood test results, then you receive your infusion through a drip in a recliner chair. Most people go home the same day. The visit usually takes a few hours, though this varies by regimen and how you are that day.
What is the difference between an oncology day care centre and a general hospital infusion bay?
| What to check | Dedicated oncology day care | General hospital infusion bay |
|---|---|---|
| Staff giving the infusion | Oncology-trained nurses who administer chemotherapy every day | General ward nurses who rotate between departments |
| Review before each dose | Oncologist or specialist nurse reviews you before every session | Pre-infusion review may not happen at every visit |
| If a reaction occurs during the drip | Oncology team on site with emergency drugs already stocked in the unit | General medical team responds; oncology may need to be called separately |
| Scheduling | Appointment-based with a dedicated chair and confirmed start time | Shared with other departments; wait times can vary unpredictably |
| Pharmacy | In-house oncology pharmacy prepares your dose the same morning | General hospital pharmacy; preparation timelines vary |
| When you leave | Same day in most cases | Same day in most cases, though delays occur |
What should you bring on infusion day?
- Your appointment letter and any blood test results your team requested in advance
- A complete list of all medicines, supplements, and herbal preparations you are currently taking — including anything new since your last visit
- Government-issued ID and your insurance card or cashless authorisation if you are using health insurance
- Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing — your nurse will need easy access to your arm or port
- A light meal eaten before you arrive, unless your team has specifically asked you to fast
- A water bottle, light snacks, and something to read or watch during the drip
- A phone charger — you will be seated for an extended period
- Someone to take you home — plan not to drive yourself after an infusion
What happens from the moment you arrive?
When you arrive, a nurse registers you and checks your vital signs — blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. Your blood test results from that morning or the previous day are reviewed to confirm it is safe to proceed with your dose that day.
Once you are cleared, you are shown to a recliner chair. Your nurse checks your drip site or port, prepares the line, and starts the infusion. The drip runs for as long as your regimen requires. Most people read, watch something on a phone, or rest during this time.
When the drip finishes, your nurse removes the line, checks how you are feeling, and goes through any symptoms to watch for at home. You are not discharged until the team is satisfied you are ready to leave.
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What questions should you ask before choosing an infusion centre?
Ask who monitors you during the infusion and whether a doctor is present in the unit while you are there. At a dedicated oncology centre, an oncologist or specialist nurse is available on site throughout your session — not in a separate building or on call from another ward.
Ask what happens if you react during the infusion. The answer you want is that resuscitation equipment and trained staff are already in the room. Ask whether the pharmacy is on site so your dose can be adjusted the same morning if your blood tests require it.
Ask how the centre handles blood test results that come back borderline on the morning of your session. A centre with a clear protocol for this is one genuinely set up for chemotherapy, not one that treats it as one service among many.
What else should you know about infusion day?
Will I feel sick during the infusion itself?
Most people do not feel unwell during the drip. Anti-nausea medicine is usually given before chemotherapy starts, and many patients read, watch something on a phone, or doze through the session. Some people feel mild fatigue toward the end of a long infusion. The hours and days after you go home vary more by regimen — your team will tell you what to expect for your specific treatment before you leave.
Can a family member stay with me during the infusion?
At most oncology day care units, one accompanying person is welcome to stay. It is worth confirming this when you book, because some units restrict visitors to reduce crowding or infection risk. If you are coming alone, tell the centre when you book so they know to check on you a little more regularly. You do not need someone sitting with you the whole time, but you should not drive yourself home after an infusion.
What happens if I have a reaction during the drip?
Infusion reactions are recognised side effects of certain chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs. If you feel chest tightness, flushing, shivering, or any sudden change during the drip, tell your nurse immediately — do not wait to see if it passes. At a dedicated oncology day care centre, the team will stop the infusion, assess you, and manage the reaction on site. Ask the centre before your first session what their reaction protocol is and whether resuscitation equipment is physically in the infusion room.
What do I do with my regular medicines on infusion day?
Take your regular medicines as usual unless your oncologist has told you otherwise. Some medicines interact with certain chemotherapy drugs, and your team should already know everything you are taking. If you have started anything new since your last appointment — including vitamins, herbal supplements, or anything bought without a prescription — tell your nurse before the infusion starts, not after. Bring the packets or a photo of them if that is easier than writing them down.
How will I feel when I get home?
This depends on your regimen, your general fitness, and how your body responds. Some people feel well enough to eat normally and sleep comfortably. Others feel fatigued or mildly nauseated for a day or two. Your team should give you a written guide to what is expected for your specific treatment before you leave, along with a number to call if your symptoms are worse than expected. Keep that number saved in your phone before you walk out.
What if my blood test results are not ready when I arrive?
Some centres ask you to have blood drawn at a separate laboratory before your infusion date, and results take time to come through. If your results are not back when you arrive, the start of your infusion will be delayed. At a centre with an in-house laboratory, this delay is shorter. Ask when you book whether blood is drawn on the day or in advance, and what the typical turnaround is — that tells you realistically how long your actual wait at the centre might be.
Did you know?
Administering chemotherapy as day care — rather than requiring an inpatient admission — is associated with lower rates of hospital-acquired infection for patients who are medically stable enough for it.
WHO and ASCO guidance supports outpatient chemotherapy delivery as the standard of care for most regimens, provided the centre has appropriate monitoring and emergency cover available on site.
Source: WHO and ASCO guidelines on outpatient chemotherapy delivery
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does a day care chemotherapy session take?
The length of the visit depends on your regimen — some infusions run for under an hour; others take most of the day. The time also includes the pre-infusion check, any pre-medications your team gives before the chemotherapy, and the observation period after the drip finishes. Your oncology team should give you an estimated window before your first session. If they have not, ask — knowing the timing helps you plan childcare, meals, and transport for whoever is bringing you.
Do I need to fast before a chemotherapy infusion?
In most cases, no — eating a light meal beforehand is encouraged because some anti-nausea medicines are easier to tolerate on a full stomach. However, some regimens or pre-treatments do require fasting. Confirm with your oncology team or nurse coordinator before your first session rather than assuming either way. If you have a morning appointment and your instructions are not clear, call the centre the evening before.
Can I have my chemotherapy given at any hospital?
Technically you can, but the quality of infusion units varies significantly. What matters clinically is whether the centre has oncology-trained nursing staff, an on-site pharmacy that can prepare your dose the same morning, and a clear protocol for managing reactions. A general hospital that offers infusions but does not specialise in oncology may not have all three. Ask these questions directly before you commit — they are reasonable things to expect a clear answer to.
What is the difference between a port and a peripheral line for chemotherapy?
A peripheral line is a cannula inserted into a vein in your arm or hand for each session and removed when you leave. A port — formally a central venous access device or port-a-cath — is a small device placed under the skin near the collarbone that allows repeated access without a new cannula each time. Ports are often recommended when treatment runs over many months, when veins are fragile, or when the chemotherapy drug is particularly irritating to peripheral veins. Your oncologist decides which is appropriate for your regimen.
Is day care chemotherapy available at CION?
Yes. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are both administered as day care across CION's network of 35 or more centres in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Treatment is coordinated between centres so that your oncologist's records travel with you even if you attend a location closer to home for some sessions. Response-assessment scans such as PET-CT are coordinated with partner imaging centres. CION does not provide CAR-T or cell therapy; if that is being considered, your team will refer you to a centre that offers it.
What should I do if I feel unwell after getting home from an infusion?
Your team should give you a written list of symptoms to watch for and a contact number before you leave. Keep that number in your phone. If you develop a fever, cannot keep fluids down, notice unexpected bleeding, or feel significantly worse than expected for your regimen, call that number rather than waiting until your next scheduled appointment. If you cannot reach your team and your symptoms are severe, go to the nearest emergency department and tell them immediately that you have recently received chemotherapy.