IV clinics for hangovers

[floridaRN38]

I have seen this done in Las Vegas. You have a hangover and either they come to u or u go to their clinic. You get NS IV and zofran, etc

I want to start my own company doing this

Living in south Florida I see a need for this but how do I go about it. I have done some research.

Pros and cons of it?

Liability ??

Medical director ? How to find one?

Any help is appreciated

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

You could solve the medical control issue by getting your NP, or hiring one. I'm no lawyer but I think your liability would be IV site infections, or reactions to medications. You could get insurance for that. I too have thought it was a great idea. It has to be VERY customer service oriented, well advertised, and well packaged, like a nail salon for example. You get payment up front, get their credit card info, then "upgrade" your service as you go. "It's extra but a little Zofran will make you feel even better...". Drunks would not be legally able to sign consent, besides, they won't need the service until later in the morning. Good luck...

[tronix304]

I would think it is a post-binge treatment, unless maybe if you signed a waiver pre drinking? The treatment would work better if it was done before bedtime but as everyone said, the liability issues with drunks and medical treatment is too risky. I believe Vegas is a bit more lax on their laws, especially when it comes to alcohol. I have thought about this too but find it difficult to obtain any regulation information.

[AshleyRN706]

First of all, RNs legally cannot prescribe any type of IV fluids, let alone medication. You would need a MD, or PA/NP working under a MD to prescribe the medication. Also, many of these people that get this "treatment" would also need to be monitored for ETOH withdrawal, which I'm sure you know, can cause DEATH.

Yes, this would be a great business in terms of revenue but why would any ethical nurse ever want to be involved in this type of business? Isn't part of our job health promotion? We are supposed to push our patients in the right direction in terms of healthy lifestyles, treatment for ETOH/drug abuse, etc. Not just "cash in" on their addictions. The only thing this business is doing is to help people drink as much as they want with no fear of the dreaded hangover. You are screaming "let's promote alcohol abuse because that's where the money is!"

Also, it isn't very non-judgmental for all of you to refer to this population as "drunks".

[NedRN]

The original poster asked about how to find a medical director, no one has suggested to do it without legal authority. People who drink too much become drunk, hence the common usage of "drunk". If nurses become judgemental and refuse to treat those with less than healthy behaviors, we would lose 90 percent of all patients. I think you need to come down from your high horse.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

It's been done.

https://www.theivdoc.com/

[K23RN]

EtOH withdrawal symptoms can take up to 72h to manifest, which would make monitoring for them problematic in this setting. Same with any other walk-in clinic. Habitual heavy drinkers, the ones most at risk for withdrawal complications, would likely would not choose this type of treatment for hangovers anyway.

[AshleyRN706]

I know that no one claimed they would try to prescribe alone, but there was some confusion in previous posts such as "I think you would have to team up with a physician" so I was clarifying that yes, you would need a MD.

Referring to someone as "drunk" as in "they appear drunk, confirmed by ETOH blood levels" is far different than stating "and making it appear high end, to appeal to rich drunks" which is the way the word has been used throughout this post. Though, I personally wouldn't use the word "drunk" in my documentation. And yes, ETOH withdrawal can appear up to a few days after the last drink but most alcoholics are not always honest in their information and some do not know what to expect at all because they never tried to stop drinking. This information is not shared with these customers so some of these medical care professionals are not performing any teaching for this problem. I've met many patients who come into the hospital for the sole purpose of getting a banana bag and some medication because they are going to stop drinking and want that as a start. After we teach the patient that w/d can be life threatening, many chose to be admitted for monitoring. Some would never know the seriousness of this issue. I would in no way state to not treat people with alcohol disorders (I do it almost everyday) but my treatment is more geared towards health promotion, for example, getting them passed the withdrawal stage safely and then referring to outside resources. This post is mainly speaking about profiting from them and I can guarantee that these businesses do not refer these people for help, because than they would lose customers/business. In my experience, heavy long term abusers of alcohol do chose this type of service. I have spoken with some of these business owners for research purposes and learned that many are repeat customers and have been drinking heavily for 5+ years, more than 25% with hx of DTs. They don't get typically get this "treatment" for hangovers but for hydration and vitamin repletion.

For NedRN, I was not disrespectful in my previous post at all. I stated my opinion, and some facts, and did not state personal opinions about any particular person. Writing "come down from your high horse" is not beneficial to a debate like this. Keep those opinions to yourself please.

[NedRN]

This is a discussion forum, not patient documentation. I think I made my opinion clear, and yours is clear as well. You believe this is an inappropriate business model for nurses to engage in. That is the Reader's Digest version of your post. Done?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Please, let's just discuss the topic and not get personal with each other.

Thanks ...

[edmia, BSN, RN]

The model of hydration with some meds thrown in for hangover symptoms is pretty brilliant actually -- this doc is raking it in. They don't send a treatment to you unless you've been examined and approved as a client -- that's how they cover their butts.

An NP could run this type of service if in a state where they practice independently. Or if they have an MD willing to sign on, but I think the profit margin would disappear then... Unfortunately, we have missed the boat. IV Doctor already has offices in all the major party cities.

[mclennan, BSN, RN]

For anyone to suggest this treatment is any less ethical than the current systematic extortion of patients by insurance & pharmaceutical in exchange for treatments that only encourage more abuse and addiction is insanely naïve. This is no different. Get a grip.

[AshleyRN706]

Never said it was any less/any more ethical than a particular issue. This is not a contest of "well at least it's better than what the insurance companies are doing". Ha, that is a ridiculous comparison. Just stating is is not ethical to cash in on these types of people without education in health promotion. As an ethical nurse who actually cares for the patients I treat and push them to better themselves, I am shocked that I am alone in my argument.