Having an IV drip at home spares elderly and bedbound patients the strain of a hospital trip. Whether the treatment goes safely and smoothly depends largely on good preparation. The steps below are designed to make things easier for families before and after the visit.
1. Have the prescription and medication ready
Treatment is only given with a physician's prescription or recommendation. Keep your prescription or e-prescription details to hand, and if you've bought the fluids and medication from a pharmacy, leave them in their packaging.
- Check the expiry dates.
- If any medication needs to be refrigerated, follow your pharmacist's advice.
- Confirm when booking what you should provide and what we will bring.
2. Note down the patient's details
Writing down what the healthcare worker needs to know saves time during the visit.
- Known drug and food allergies
- Chronic conditions (heart or kidney disease, diabetes, etc.)
- Regular medications, especially blood thinners
- Any problems during previous IV treatments
3. Prepare a suitable space
- Choose a place where the patient can lie or sit comfortably.
- Make sure the room is well lit.
- Clear a clean surface for the supplies.
- Keep pets in another room during the treatment.
4. During the treatment
Once the drip is in place, the patient should avoid moving the arm with the IV line too much. Having a family member nearby reassures the patient and makes it easier to meet their needs. If the patient feels unwell, they should tell the healthcare worker straight away.
5. After the treatment
After the IV line is removed, pressing on the spot for a few minutes is usually enough. Over the following hours, watch for:
- Increasing swelling, redness or pain where the line was
- Fever or shivering
- Itching or a rash
- Shortness of breath, or swelling of the lips or face
If any of these appear, contact your physician. For serious signs such as difficulty breathing, facial swelling or confusion, call 112 immediately.