An IV therapy can offer a variety of health benefits, including the ability to provide hydration, vitamins, and medications by delivering them directly into the bloodstream. With home health and mobile IV services offering this treatment in the patient’s house, IV treatments are no longer limited to hospital and clinic settings but can be provided at the patient’s home. The ability to self-administer an IV may be available in the future, but for safety reasons, we do not recommend you do so due to the complications. Professionals licensed to insert IVs are aware of the proper techniques to prevent any risk of infection or damage to your veins during the process.
Here is a brief introduction to self-administering IV treatments at home and why choosing a professional home IV service is safer.
Ways to insert an IV at home
To ensure that your IV is administered properly, you must know how to set up and administer your IV before you unpack it or poke a needle into your arm.
Prepare your materials
Before inserting an IV at home, you should ensure that you have all the necessary materials. There will be no hiccups in the process as a result of this.
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly.
Use antibacterial soap before handling the IV bag. To prevent infections, you must keep your hands and equipment clean at all times.
The IV tubing should be primed
Firstly, priming IV tubings is one of the most important steps before administering an IV to a patient, since it eliminates all air from the line before administering an IV. In the end, a device fitted with a small hole will prevent air from entering the line and causing an embolism, a potentially fatal complication.
Preparation of the vein for IV insertion
Before finding a vein to insert the catheter, you must put on sterile gloves to prevent infection before looking for a vein. If you notice that these gloves have become contaminated in any way, it’s essential to remove them immediately and replace them with a new sterile pair.
To insert the catheter, you will need to find a prominent vein. To perform this task, the patient’s non-dominant arm is best.
How to insert an IV catheter
If you have chosen where the needle should be inserted, take a cotton pad or an alcohol wipe and disinfect the area using alcohol.
Ensure that the catheter is kept away from non-sterile surfaces when removing it from its packaging. Affix the flashback chamber securely to the catheter, and ensure that the catheter hub is loosely attached to the needle.
The catheter needle should be inserted with its bevel facing up into the skin while holding it with your dominant hand.
Secure the IV line by inserting the IV tubing
After inserting the catheter, you need to remove the needle and place it into a container marked with sharps disposal instructions to dispose of it safely.
Put the catheter hub on your primed IV tubing and insert the cover over the end, then screw it around the catheter hub so that your IV tubing is wholly secured. At no point should the line touch the ground.
Hang the IV bag above the patient’s head on an IV pole after the tubing has been taped to the patient’s skin.
Keep an eye on the flow
Monitoring the fluid flow and changing the dressing is essential after the IV has been successfully administered. This is particularly important if the catheter needs to remain in place for a prolonged period. If any needles are used during the IV, dispose of them properly after removing the catheter.
Also Read What To Expect During An In-Home IV Appointment?
My IV Doctors at Home: An Improved Method
The at-home service may be the solution for you if you’d like to get the benefits of IV therapy without having to go to an IV bar or do it yourself but do not wish to do them from scratch.
Wondering how to get iv fluids at home? It is easy to get IV fluids with My IV Doctors. Whether you want your treatments done at your home, office, or gym, all are administered by a registered nurse. You can rely on our nurses to monitor your progress throughout your treatment to ensure it is as safe and convenient as possible.