Help with Starting IVs

[Hina2007]

Do field nurses regularly carry IV supplies in case they get an order from a physician based on pt's change in status to admin. IV fluids. And do pharmacies carry IV fluids that I can get right away. I am just concerned and wondering how can I prepare myself in case such need arises. Thank you in advance for any feedback.

[annaedRN, RN]

I carry an IV start kit but it is really for more of needing to change an existing one on short notice. Even if we get an order for IV fluids, the supplies need to come from the infusion company. Even saline flushes are the patient's responsibilities (via the place they get their supplies from). Luckily, most of our patients who need anything IV have a PICC. Makes our jobs much easier!! I am not sure if you can get fluids from reg pharmacies...we have always gotten everything from the infusion companies - I believe that the licensing is different for them. You could just call your local pharmacist and ask though.

[riern]

Our nurses don't carry any IV supplies, we don't stock them in the office either. Anytime we get an order for IV meds everything comes from Infusion co or DME with Pharmacy. Since HH is not an emergency service any patients requiring IV fluids before all of this can be arranged are sent to the ER. Ideally all home infusion patients have a PICC, PAC or other access. Unfortunately this is not always the case, so we do have to start some peripherals in the home.

Hope that helps!

[TraumaTrainingWheels]

We don't have IV supplies either, they are overnighted to the pts home or a local pharmacy will deliver them.

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

We do stock all IV supplies except for the fluids/meds themselves. As said above, if the doc orders any IVs, these will then be ordered from an infusion company or pharmacy and deliverd to the pt home, flushes, catheters, alchohol preps, heparin flushes, extensions, the works. Everything they need will be delivered to them, including pumps. Then we just go in and start them up. Hardlt any of ours have picc lines. We use a lot of the "ready balls", though... these are GREAT !!!

[Rachelks]

We carry IV start kits then wait for pharmacy to deliver the fluids but there is rarely ever an emergency in HH where u would have to start IVF started in such short notice. If it is that urgent they should probably go to the hospital to be monitored.