​Clinical Procedures – Intravenous Infusion

​Clinical Procedures – Intravenous Infusion 
Equipment
• Gloves
• An appropriate fluid bag
• Giving set
• Drip stand
• 10mL syringe with saline flush.
Procedure
• ©Intravenous infusions require intravenous access
• Check the fluid in the bag and fluid prescription chart
• Ask a colleague to double-check the prescription and the fluid and sign their name on the chart
•  Flush the patient's cannula with a few mL of saline to ensure there is no obstruction. If there is evidence of a blockage, swelling at the cannula site, or if the patient experiences pain, you may need to replace the cannula
• Open the fluid bag and giving set, which come in sterile packaging
• Unwind the giving set and close the adjustable valve
• Remove the sterile cover from the bag outlet and from the sharp end of the giving set
• Using quite a lot of force, push the giving set end into the bag outlet
• Invert the bag and hang on a suitable drip-stand
• Squeeze the drip chamber to half fill it with fluid
• Partially open the valve to allow the drip to run, and watch fluid run through to the end (it might be best to hold the free end over a sink in case of spills)
• If bubbles appear, try tapping or flicking the tube
• Once the giving set is filled with liquid, connect it to the
cannula
• Adjust the valve and watch the drips in the chamber
• Adjust the drip rate according to the prescription.

Drip Rate
• Most infusions tend to be given with electronic devices which pump the fluid in at the prescribed rate. However, it is still important that healthcare professionals are able to set up a drip at the correct flow rate manually
• Using a standard giving set, clear fluids will form drips of about 0.05mL. that is, there will be approximately 20 drips/mL. You can then calculate

​Documentation
• Ensure fluid and/or drug is clearly timed and signed for as per local policy
• Nursing notes should be completed to include the reason for the infusion
• Medical notes should be used to record any causes for concern arising from administration of the infusion
• Cannula site (and cannula documentation) should be dated and signed on insertion
• Ensure any fluid-monitoring chart is complete and updated as appropriate