Service animals in Infusion Center?

[North Woods Nurse]

Looking for advice on what others have done when a request has been made to bring a service dog that is "in training" by a patient to an Infusion center where chemo is administered.

Our facility policy is to follow ADA guidelines, but my research finds guidelines dated 2010 stating "Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. For example, in a hospital it would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal's presence may compromise a sterile environment." Our Infusion center is not considered a place where the 'general public' is allowed to go. And there is the issue of our immune compromised patients that may be present.

To add to my confusion, our most current state legislature states that our state's guidelines follow the ADA, however our state also includes animals "in training" to be allowed the same exposure and rights as trained, working animals. As we are a small facility with limited staffing, providing a patient who is receiving chemotherapy while accompanied by a service animal the same services in another department is not always feasible.

We want to provide services to all patients, so I am searching for solutions from others who have cared for patients needing or training service animals while receiving chemo.

Thanks!

[FlyingScot, RN]

In general chemo infusion centers are not sterile environments in the same sense as operating rooms and burn units. We allow service animals.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Have them bring someone along who could take the dog out if any problems occur while they are being treated.