Starting IV's in Med Surg?

[scoobysnax]

How often do you have to start IV's in Med Surg? Is it a common practice or is it usually started elsewhere?

Thanks! :nuke:

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

Its common to start them on MedSurg. If they come from the ER, then they already have one. If it goes bad, you restart it. If it gets pulled out, you restart it. If they are a direct admit from the clinic, you start it. IV start is a common skill on MedSurg. I go from starting 5 a day to starting only 1 in a week. It varies on how often.

[NurseNature]

Plus, a lot of the time the ER or EMT's put their IV's in the AC or wrist so they are not in good spots for inpatients. The machines will beep at you nonstop until you change sites or splint the extremity.

[Batman24]

You will definitely do more than your fair share of IVs in M/S. If you are worried about starting them pls don't be. You get really good at them fairly quickly.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I did a lot more of IV's in med-surg than in ICU.

ICU patients tend to have central lines and PICC lines. Most regular IV's were put in prior to their arrival to the unit.

Med-surg patients also have a way of pulling out their lines more often. Many of my med-surg patients were agitated or confused elderly patients who went through IVs quickly some days.