Advancing IV Therapy

The new NICE Quality Standard on Intravenous fluid therapy in adults in hospitals released in August 2014 recommends that adults receiving IV fluid therapy in hospital should be cared for by healthcare professionals competent in assessing patients’ fluid and electrolyte needs, prescribing and administering IV fluids, and monitoring patient response. An IV fluid management plan, determined by and reviewed by an expert, which includes the fluid and electrolyte prescription over the next 24 hours and arrangements for assessing patients and monitoring their plan should be drawn up for all adults receiving IV fluid therapy in hospital. Any clear incidents of fluid mismanagement in adults who receive IV fluid therapy in hospital should be reported as critical incidents, according to the quality standard.

This conference focuses on the important issue of advancing IV therapy with a particular focus on implementing the new NICE Quality Standard, and on delivering IV therapy at home. NICE recently stated that there is a clear need for guidance on IV fluid therapy and the new quality standard and guideline is expected to contribute to improvements in the following outcomes, Mortality or serious harm resulting from errors in IV fluid therapy.; Patient experience of hospital care; Patient safety incidents reported and Length of hospital stay.