Cedar City Hospital Makes Kids’ Treatments Easier And More Accessible

A growing pediatric infusion program at Intermountain Cedar City Hospital is helping families in southern Utah access specialized treatments closer to home, reducing the need for long-distance travel during already difficult times.

Speaking on the Big Picture Morning Show on KSUB radio, Nurse Manager Amy Bennett and Pediatric Program Coordinator Cooper Edwards highlighted how the program has expanded to meet a wide range of needs for children. From routine hydration and antibiotics to ongoing treatments for autoimmune conditions and even pediatric chemotherapy, the goal is to provide high-quality care locally while making the experience as comfortable as possible for young patients.

“Definitely. Amy has given me a lot of resources to make, you know, the needle pokes as comfortable as possible. We have techniques for parents to hold the children and we have some devices that can take that pinch away, and some other toys and distractions that we can use. So it's been great that way,” Edwards said during the broadcast.

Bennett emphasized that the program was built with both medical care and quality of life in mind. “We want to be able to let kids be kids, regardless of the challenges that they're going through when they have cancer or an autoimmune disorder,” she said. “We want kids to spend less time in the car and get back to feeling well and get out on the soccer field and do the things that they love to do and be able to go to school.”

Personal Experience Brings The Program To Cedar City

The program was inspired by a personal experience Bennett had with a friend whose child required frequent emergency care for dehydration. “And so, it started with me wanting just to help out my friend and figure out how can I bring these services here,” she explained.

Since launching, the service has steadily grown, with about 22 pediatric infusions performed in a recent month. The hospital’s 24/7 availability allows staff to work around family schedules, offering appointments in the evenings or on weekends when needed.

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For families, the benefits go beyond convenience. Receiving treatment locally allows children to recover in the comfort of home rather than enduring long car rides after difficult procedures. As Edwards noted, “being so close to home, I think they just are able to recover a little bit quicker and do their school activities sooner.”

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Parents interested in the program are encouraged to speak with their child’s physician about arranging care locally.

Hear our entire discussion with Bennett and Edwards in the podcast below.