Key Benefits of IV Infusion Therapy

Intravenous (IV) therapy is the administration of fluids directly into a person’s vein. It works faster than an oral route, enabling water, medication, blood, and/or nutrients to move through the circulatory system quickly and target the tissue or organ that needs them.

IV therapy is the most common invasive procedure used in the healthcare system and can treat:

• Severe dehydration by providing fluids
• Health conditions by administering medication
• Pain by administering pain relievers
• Blood loss by giving a blood transfusion
• Malnutrition by administering nutrients

Doctors use IVs as a fast-acting way to deliver essential fluids and nutrients into the patient’s body.

At Primecare Family Practice, board-certified family practitioners Maryline Ongangi, APRN, FNP-C and Lewis Nyantika, APRN, FNP-C, use IV therapy to provide fluids, medication, and nutrients to their patients in and around Arlington, Texas, who need them. They believe the benefits of IVs can’t be overstated, and here’s why.

How is an IV placed?

The following details a routine IV therapy placement procedure:

To get the infusion started, the nurse or tech chooses a vein and inserts a small tube called a cannula. Common sites include the forearm, wrist, back of the hand, or top of the foot. If they have difficulty finding a suitable vein, they may use an ultrasound scan to guide the needle attached to the cannula.

Once they have a good, healthy vein, they sanitize the area with an alcohol wipe, then insert the needle attached to the cannula in the vein, using some adhesive tape to hold the set-up in place.

Next, the tech uses some plastic tubing to connect the cannula to the IV fluid bag and unclamps the tube so the fluids can flow freely. They regularly check the cannula during the infusion to ensure the fluids are flowing properly and you don’t have any pain or swelling in the area.

Once the IV therapy infusion is finished, the tech disconnects the cannula from the tubing and removes it and the needle from the vein. They apply pressure over the insertion spot to slow any bleeding, then cover the site with cotton and adhesive tape to ensure clotting.

For procedures that require a regular IV, the tech leaves the cannula in place so all they need to do is connect the tubing to the new bag when it’s time.

IV therapy is generally a safe and effective procedure, but it can cause side effects, which may include:

• Blood vessel damage
• Bleeding from the insertion site
• Swelling around the insertion site
• Inflammation of the veins if the IV is kept in for several days
• Bruising at the insertion site

All of these generally resolve within the next few days.

What is IV infusion therapy for?

Infusion therapy can be used for a wide range of conditions. At its most basic, it provides fluids to rehydrate you, possibly with electrolytes to restore their balance.

It’s also used to deliver medications for a wide variety of conditions. These include:

• Blood clotting factors for hemophilia
• A medication “cocktail” for migraine
• Corticosteroids for multiple sclerosis
• Platelet-rich plasma for osteoarthritis
• Bisphosphonates for osteoporosis
• Insulin for type 1 diabetes
• Clot-busters for hypercoagulation disorders
• Antibiotics for severe infections such as cellulitis, pneumonia, and sepsis

The length of the treatment depends on the medication and your individual condition. It could take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

Key benefits of IV infusion therapy

The benefits of using IV therapy include:

Speed

By inserting fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into the vein, IV therapy can help a patient recover quickly. This may be particularly useful if the patient is severely dehydrated and needs fluids or electrolytes as soon as possible.

Efficiency

IV therapy bypasses the digestive system. That means the body can absorb fluids and medications without them first going through the GI tract and being partially broken down before reaching their target. Medication or nutrients infused directly into the bloodstream reach their target quickly.

Convenience

Once a nurse or tech inserts a cannula in your arm, it can remain there for several days. This way they can provide regular treatment without repeatedly poking you with a needle.

To learn more about how IV infusion therapy can help you, or to get started with a treatment plan, call Primecare Family Practice at 817-873-3710, or book online with us today.