Intravenous Therapy is treatment that delivers intravenous solutions (fluids, blood, medication and nutrients) directly into a person’s bloodstream through the vein. If your doctor has recommended IV therapy, you should get to know the process, potential side effects and risks of the treatment prior to make any decision. Here is a systematic intravenous therapy process completed by a trained infusion professional.
First, check selected IV for proper fluid, clarity and expiration date
Select appropriate administration set and catheter
Connect IV tubing to the IV bag
Prepare administration set (fills drip chamber and flushes tubing)
Cut or tear tapes at any time before venipuncture
Applies tourniquet
Palpates suitable vein
Cleanse site appropriately
Select appropriate catheter (correct size)
Performs venipuncture, insert stylette and secure it
Occludes vein proximal to catheter
Removes stylette
Dispose or verbalizes proper disposal of needle in proper container
Connect IV tubing to catheter
Release tourniquet
Runs IV for a brief period to assure patent line and proper flow
Adjust flow rate as appropriate
Secures catheter (tapes securely or verbalizes)
Ask the patient if they have any allergies
Select correct medication by looking at the concentration level and clarity
Assembled prefilled syringe correctly and dispose air
Cleanses injection site closest to the patient
Reaffirms medication and stop IV flow
Connect medication to the line and administer correct dose at proper push rate
Turns IV on and adjust drip rate
Lastly, verbalizes need to observe patient for desired effect and adverse side effects
Intravenous therapy treatment is relatively painless and quick. Talk to your doctor to know more about your treatment options.
