Clinical Procedures- Intravenous (via cannula)

Clinical Procedures- Intravenous (via cannula)
Intravenous injections can be administered by puncturing the vein with a needle and syringe and injecting directly. The procedure below describes injecting via an intravenous cannula. If no cannula in place, cannulate first.
Ensure that you comply with the local policy regarding drug administration. In hospital, two healthcare professionals should usually check and administer medication.
Equipment
• Appropriate syringe (dependent upon quantity of drug to be administered)
• Prescribed drug
• Saline flush (10mL syringe with sterile saline)
• Prescription chart
• Antiseptic swab.
Procedure
• Assess patient for drugs required (i.e. for pain relief, vomiting etc.)
• Refer to prescription chart, double-checking the appropriate drugs and dosage to be given:
•Always ensure you are fully aware of any possible side effects of any drugs you are due to administer
•Double-check the prescription chart for date and appropriate route for administration
•Check administration of previous dose not tOn after last dose?
•Ensure that the drug to be given is within its use
•Check patient and chart for any evidence of allergie relevant drug reactions
• Always comply with the local hand-hygiene practices
Once checked by suitably qualified staff take drug and prescription chart to the patient
• Introduce yourself, confirm the patient's identity, explain the procedure, and obtain informed consent
• Check with patient: name and date of birth (if capable):
• If incapable, check name band with another healthcare professional
• © The patient may need to be assisted to change position, if unable to move themselves, and to enable access to an appropriate site
• Cleanse the cannula port with the antiseptic wipe
• Attach the saline flush to the syringe port and inject a few mL to check patency of the cannula:
• D Watch for a bleb forming as consequence of extravasation
• If no problems are encountered, swap the flush for the drug-containing syringe and inject drug slowly
• To finish, inject a few more mL of saline into the cannula port and re-attach the bung
• Once the procedure is completed without complication, withdraw needle and discard into a sharps bin
• Monitor patient for any negative effects of the drug.