The Many Uses of IV Therapy
IV therapy, or intravenous therapy, delivers fluids, medications, or vitamins directly into the veins of the body. It is the fastest way to deliver blood products, vitamins, medications, or other necessary fluids directly into a person’s circulatory system. IV therapy is dispensed through an intravenous catheter, either through an injection with a syringe or infusion (also referred to as a “drip”).
After the IV therapist sets the IV they will monitor the patient to make sure the IV stays in place and that the patient is getting the correct dosage of fluids. An IV therapist monitors the IV continually so that they can easily adjust the dosage in the case of side effects or reactions in the patient. Many RNs or LPNs choose to train as iv therapy long island.
A Brief History of IV therapy
Today, IV therapy is used both as a lifesaving therapeutic treatment, and in wellness therapy such as vitamin IV therapy, but this wasn’t always the case. Blood therapy has been around since ancient times, when blood was viewed as a therapeutic substance in itself and the bloodletting of infirm people was a popular practice. Unfortunately the medical understanding of blood, blood types, and infectious agents like pyrogens, as well as the lack of materials like plastics held IV therapy back for centuries.
Early IV Therapies
IV therapy was first attempted in the early 17th century, but the results weren’t great, and it was abandoned for more reliable methods for the next two centuries. In the 19th century, IV therapy was attempted again, but a poor understanding of blood typing and blood groups made it a last resort only used in very critical cases.
The Advent of Plastics
During WWI and WWII IV therapy became a viable treatment, and with the advent of plastic bags and plastic IV catheters, IV therapy finally took its place as the lifesaving and highly beneficial therapeutic treatment it is today.
Types of IV Therapies
There are three main types of IV therapy: Blood administrative IV therapy, drug administrative IV therapy, and fluid administrative IV therapy.