Infusion days are no longer short, routine appointments. Patients often spend hours—sometimes entire workdays—receiving treatment. And they’re showing up prepared: tablets, laptops, headphones, blankets, snacks, chargers, books, and comfort items all come with them.

In today’s oncology and infusion environments, this shift has created a new kind of patient: the Netflix Patient. These patients settle in for long sessions and expect the space around them to support that reality. They want comfort, control, and the ability to make the experience feel more like “their space,” even inside a clinical setting.

Designing infusion rooms with this patient in mind isn’t just about aesthetics. It directly impacts emotional well-being, satisfaction, and even workflow efficiency. Here’s how clinics can create environments that meet the needs of today’s long-haul treatment days.

Understanding the Netflix Patient

They Bring More With Them

Patients now arrive with:

• Multiple devices
• A personal blanket
• Journals, books, or work items
• Water bottles and snacks
• Chargers and headphones
• Emotional support items

They’re planning to stay awhile, and they want to feel at ease.

They Expect Comfort That Lasts

Infusion chairs aren’t just chairs anymore; they’re workstations, nap spaces, entertainment hubs, and emotional safe zones. Patients shift frequently, change positions, and look for ways to stay physically comfortable for extended periods.

They Want Personal Space Without Feeling Isolated

A well-designed infusion environment acknowledges that patients need room for their belongings, but also need to feel connected to staff and supported throughout treatment.

Design Essentials for Long-Haul Infusion Spaces

1. Flexible Seating That Adapts to the Patient

Patients rarely sit in one position for hours. Seating that reclines smoothly, supports multiple angles, and accommodates different body types helps reduce discomfort and stress.

2. Surfaces and Space for Personal Items

Fold-away tables or nearby surfaces give patients a dedicated spot for snacks, devices, or journals. This simple feature can dramatically improve their sense of control and comfort.

3. Consideration for Device Use

People pass the time on:

• Tablets
• Laptops
• Phones
• eReaders

Easy access to charging (without extension cords running across the room) creates a more relaxed and safer environment.

4. Ergonomics That Support Long Sessions

Foot positioning, arm support, head and neck comfort, and the ability to reposition frequently help reduce the physical strain of long treatments.

5. Safe, Low-Stress Transfers

Patients arrive with multiple bags and often have mobility limitations. Seating that allows safe, barrier-free transfers helps reduce anxiety and cuts down on staff assistance time.

6. Cleanability and Turnover Efficiency

With so many hours of back-to-back use, infusion seating must be easy for staff to clean thoroughly and quickly without complex disassembly.

Designing the Room Around the Patient Experience

An infusion room isn’t just a clinical space; it’s where patients spend some of their most vulnerable hours. The best environments:

• Feel calm, not sterile
• Offer comfort without clutter
• Support independence where possible
• Give caregivers clear access
• Provide a sense of privacy without disconnecting the patient

Thoughtful design helps patients feel grounded, reduces emotional fatigue, and supports better clinical flow for staff.

How the Alō Treatment Recliner Supports Long-Haul Infusion Care

When you design for the Netflix Patient, you need seating that supports long sessions, device use, safe transfers, and the countless comfort adjustments patients make throughout the day.

Champion’s Alō Treatment Recliner was created with oncology and infusion settings at the forefront. It brings together the elements that matter most—comfort, flexibility, cleanability, and caregiver access—supported by features like infinite recline positioning, swing-away arms, quick-release seating for cleaning, and space-conscious accessories.

It’s a purpose-built option for clinics looking to elevate both patient experience and staff workflow, without overcomplicating the room design.

Ready to Reimagine Your Infusion Space?

If you’re exploring ways to make long treatment days more comfortable and patient-centered, we can help you determine whether the Alō Treatment recliner is the right fit for your environment. Our team is happy to walk you through configurations, materials, and accessories that support modern infusion behavior.

Connect with us to get started, or explore and design your Alō Treatment—or any of our medical recliners—using our virtual configurator today!