Essential Gear for Effective IV Solution Administration: Your Ultimate Guide!
The intravenous route or IV route of drug delivery is the most commonly used method in healthcare after the oral route. As the term ‘intravenous’ suggests, the medication is directly administered into the patient’s veins using a needle. This way, the medication goes into the bloodstream and starts working immediately unlike the orally administered drugs which have to get through the gastrointestinal tract to get absorbed. IV solution administration is an easy process that simply requires the right equipment as well as the proper method.
An intravenous drip set is being employed for IV solution administration
In the following article, let us learn which supplies are essential for IV solution administration and how to set them up:
Medical Supplies Needed for IV Solution Administration
The following supplies are necessary for IV solution administration:
Catheters
An IV catheter or IV line is a thin tube that is inserted into your vein during IV solution administration. Being made up of plastic, a catheter is flexible and therefore the patient does not feel much pain while moving their arms or hands while the catheter has been placed.
This IV catheter is attached to the IV bag which carries the liquid medication via a tubing. Different types of catheters are available but central venous catheters (CVC) or central lines are usually preferred for medication or nutrient delivery. These CVCs are further of three types:
1.     Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
A PICC line is inserted into the peripheral vein close to the superior vena cava of the heart.
2.     Tunneled Catheter
Tunneled catheters are placed under the skin from where they progress towards the central vein.
3.     Implanted Port
An implant port consists of a reservoir which is to be placed under the skin. The medication is injected into the reservoir which then delivers it to the body at a controlled rate.
IV Bags
An IV fluid bag is used to store the liquid medications. These are made up of non-leaching plastic which is flexible and can hold the solution until its administration. These bags are later connected to an IV catheter using IV tubing. This way, the medication in the IV bag gets transported to the catheter and then to the body.
IV Tubing
An IV tubing is a plastic tube that connects the IV bag with the IV catheter. It has ports that can connect multiple IV tubes together. As a result, a secondary IV tubing connected to another IV bag can be combined with the primary IV tubing. Moreover, the roller clamp on the tubing allows the adjustment of the rate of IV fluid administration.
IV administration of continuous or intermittent fluids helps deliver IV medication as well as nutrients
Infusion Pumps
An IV pump is a device that delivers the IV solutions at a controlled rate. These pumps need to be adjusted before starting the IV administration in terms of their flow rate as well as time period. Once set, the pump can deliver the medications on its own and will stop the flow after the specified time. Apart from medications, infusion pumps are also suitable for total parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy, etc.
Needles
If the catheter does not have a needle, it is essential to select one based on the patient’s needs. The following table displays the size chart of IV gauges:
| IV Gauge Size | Color | Length | Maximum Flow Rate (ml/min) |
| 14G | Orange | 45 | 270 |
| 16G | Gray | 45 | 236 |
| 18G | Green | 45 | 103 |
| 20G | Pink | 33 | 67 |
| 22G | Blue | 25 | 31 |
| 24G | Yellow | 19 | 13 |
| 26G | Violet | 19 | 13 |
Antiseptic Pads
Antiseptic pads are required for wiping the area clean where the IV solution administration is to be performed. The components of these wipes kill the bacteria on the skin surface and thus the risk of infection is minimized.
Miscellaneous Items
Apart from the above-mentioned items, other small items are also required which include:
- Tourniquet
- Tape
- Gauze
- Gloves
Setting Up a Drip System for IV Therapy
Administering IV fluids using a drip infusion system is a common practice. It uses gravity to pull the medication out of the IV bag and administer it to the patient. The process is slow and requires time to complete the infusion. The following method should be taken as a guideline for IV solution administration at a hospital or in-home settings:
Prepare the IV Supplies
- Collect all the above-mentioned items that are necessary for IV solution administration. You can also use an IV start kit or IV administration set which contains the necessary items.
- Select the right IV gauge. Gauges are available in many sizes which range from smaller to larger sizes. As an inappropriately sized gauge can cause pain at the IV site, it is important to go through the size chart and choose the most suitable gauge for V fluid therapy.
- After selecting the right gauge size, the healthcare personnel need to wash their hands and wear clean gloves. This way, the risk of infections decreases both for the patient as well as for healthcare staff.
Prepare the Patient
- By employing a tourniquet on the selected IV site, make the veins prominent. The next step is to locate the areas where the catheter can be inserted for IV solution administration. In general, arms or hands are considered appropriate for this purpose. Make sure that you avoid sites where burns or edema is visible.
- Clean the selected area using alcohol or chlorhexidine-based antiseptic swab.
IV medications and parenteral nutrition can be delivered at a faster rate than the oral route
Insert the IV Catheter
- Take the IV bag and hang it on the hook of the IV pole. This will elevate the IV bag to allow the easy flow of IV solutions.
- Inspect the IV line to locate any bubbles as, if administered, these can cause air embolism. If bubbles are present, tap or squeeze the IV line to remove them.
- Open the catheter hub. Using your dominant hand, keep the needle between 10 to 30-degree angles from the surface of the skin. Hold the skin with your non-dominant hand.
- While keeping the bevel up, insert the needle into the vein. Wait for the flashback of blood to appear in the flash chamber. This will ensure that the needle has been correctly inserted into the vein and not in the surrounding tissue.
- Lower the needle and make it parallel to the skin followed by a progression of insertion until the needle is 2 to 6 millimeters deep into the vein.
- Advance the catheter into the vein and slide off the needle from it. This will set the catheter in place. In case of skin dimpling, there is a chance that the catheter is placed outside the blood vessel so it needs to be taken out and reinserted.
- Once the IV catheter is placed correctly, fully retract the needle and release the tourniquet.
Secure the Assembly
- Secure the IV line by using gauze and tape or a Tegaderm patch. Now, you can start the flow of IV medication administration at the required rate.
IV access port serves as an insertion site for injections
IV Fluids and IV Infusion Supplies at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
IV solution administration is a successful method for drug delivery directly to the bloodstream. It is ideal in cases when the patient is either unconscious or unable to take food via oral route. Through the IV route, different kinds of hypotonic IV solutions, hypertonic fluids, as well as any isotonic fluid can be administered.
Considering their vast applications, some of the components of IV drip sets which are available at the Health Supply 770 have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
B. Braun L8000 Replacement Preparation Sodium Chloride Solution, Preservative Free 0.9% IV Fluid Flexible Bag 1,000 mL 12 EA/CA
US$529.88
Product Details
Braun L8000 replacement preparation is an IV fluid based on 0.9% sodium chloride and sterile water i.e. normal saline. The product is employed for IV solution administration in cases when the delivery of medications or nutrients is to be done during intravenous therapy. The isotonic IV solution administration is beneficial for several reasons as it can also be delivered solely to manage electrolyte imbalances.
Braun L8000 replacement preparation comes in a flexible plastic bag which is non-toxic and does not leach any chemical substances into the product. Moreover, it is also free from natural rubber latex.
Baxter 6201 Flo-Gard 6201 Volumetric Infusion Pump Refurbished 1-Year Warranty EACH
US$1,066.88
Product Details
Baxter 6201 Flo-Gard 6201 volumetric infusion pump is used for administering any hypertonic IV fluid, isotonic IV solution, or hypotonic IV fluids at a controlled rate. The pump is easy to operate and displays the flow rate and time settings on the display screen which are easy to read.
The linear peristaltic pump head is fully programmable and allows primary as well as secondary medication. As soon as the secondary IV solution administration is completed, the pump automatically shifts to its primary program through a feature often referred to as automatic piggybacking.
B. Braun 354201 IV Admin Set 15 Drop W/Caresite 50/CA
US$238.88
Product Details
Braun 354201 IV Admin Set 15 Drop W/Caresite is a product that connects the IV bag with the IV catheter. The product uses gravity as its IV solution administration method. There is no back check valve or a filter and the primary tubing is made up of plastic which is free from toxic materials like DEHP.
The drip rate of the product is 15 drops/ml. Moreover, a spin-lock connector ensures the safety of the assembly. Due to the absence of more than one port, this B. Braun IV solution administration set cannot be used to infuse secondary medications.
Sol-Millennium 111925315NSB Sol-M Quincke Spinal Needle 25 Gauge 3.5 Inch (Bulk, Non-Sterile) (3000/CS)
US$2,837.33
Product Details
Sol-Millennium 111925315NSB Sol-M Quincke spinal needle is a non-sterile product. Its fitted style reduces the risk of tissue damage. The sharp bevel allows low puncture force which enhances the comfort of the healthcare provider.
Dynarex 1331 BZK Antiseptic Towelettes 5 in. x 7 in. CS/1000
US$33.88
Product Details
These Dyrarex benzalkonium chloride-based wipes are essential during IV solution administration. These prevent infection by killing the harmful bacteria on the skin’s surface. Apart from IV infusion sites, these can also be used for cleaning wounds so that minor infections can be prevented. Almost all the first-aid kits carry Dynarex BZK antiseptic wipes in them.
Sol-Millennium TNQ002 Sol-M Latex-Free Tourniquet 1 x 18 Inch (2500/CS)
US$346.99
Product Details
Sol-Millennium tourniquets are elastic and completely free from latex which them safe to be used on the skin during IV solution administration. Their strength is immense and good quality construction material also ensures durability. The textured surface prevents the tourniquet from slipping.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
IV infusion is also an essential step in pediatric or neonatal care
The different types of equipment for IV solution administration mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link given in the article to check out and order the wide range of IV solutions as well as their administration equipment.
Bottom Line
IV solution administration is one of the ways to deliver liquid IV solutions directly into the bloodstream. These solutions often include certain medications such as antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, or other drugs for the management of elevated blood pressure as well as electrolyte imbalances. In addition, peripheral IV administration is also a way to deliver food items in liquid form.
Patients who require intravenous fluids are administered with a suitable-sized catheter attached to an IV drip set. When adjusted properly, the assembly delivers the IV fluid volume at a specified rate. Due to the effective mode of therapy, IV solution administration is not restricted to hospitals and can be performed in home settings.
Therefore, stocking up on the necessary medical supplies is always a good idea. For purchasing the different supplies for IV solution administration, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
