Subcutabeous IV for End-of-Life

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What are your preferred IV subcutaneous brand? Any feedback regarding BD Saf-T-Intima? Looking tonuse for end of life care /nutrition

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Isn't that an oxymoron? It cannot be both IV and subcutaneous.

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Sorry for the error. I meamt subcutaneous infusion.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

What do you mean by "end of life .. nutrition"? Aside from artificial nutrition being inappropriate in an actively dying patient, you certainly couldn't give it through a subcutaneous infusion.

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When I was in nursing school in 1981 my elderly med/surg teacher mentioned SQ infusions being used in long term care units when she worked in hospitals.

I don't know that this is still being done today or making a comeback?

Obviously it is being ordered where you work.

Many nurses and doctors are rethinking end of life care. Many do not believe there is a need for hydration (or nutrition if that's even possible SQ) when giving end of life care.

I'll be curious to see any answers to your question.

Although our veterinarian prescribed it for our 5 year old cat in 2005 for us to do at home for a few days.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Home Health, Corrections, School Nurse.

Most end of life care is done with oral/sublingual meds.

I find your question really odd...not sure who uses subq infusions for anything, much less nutrition. As far as brands go, whoever is the agency providing the care, they will use whatever that agency uses.

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In the Hospice inpatient setting SQ lines are frequently used. I haven't seen them used for nutrition but we do use them for medication

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If it’s end of life you don’t supply nutrition and it can’t be done SQ in any case.Even hydration will just cause discomfort.

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

Sub cut lines are only used in my hospital in a palliative setting for small volume infusions such as morphine/ midaz for management of pain / agitation.

If a patient is not taking oral nutrition or fluids the current thinking is that as part of a terminal illness their body is shutting down, reducing blood flow to the intestine.

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Hi thanks. I am looking more for experience or input in the use of BD Saf Intima and Insuflon.

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