Intravenous (IV) fluids national guidance published

Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy is a complex, high-risk clinical intervention and requires ongoing decision-making throughout the patient journey. This guidance, published by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) supports this decision-making process and the safe, appropriate and sustainable use of IV fluids.

“Inappropriate initiation, administration, monitoring or prolonged use can lead to patient harm,” the Commission said. “The decision to start, stop or switch IV fluid therapy should be guided by the patient’s clinical condition, patient-specific factors and response to treatment to minimise the risk of complications.”

Available resources include:

• The ‘Intravenous fluid therapy: Principles for safe, appropriate and sustainable use’ guidance, which provides a summary of the core considerations that should underpin all decisions about IV fluid therapy;
• The ‘Safe administration of intravenous fluids: Avoiding venous air embolism’ guidance, which provides guidance on the safe administration of IV fluids to prevent venous air embolism (VAE);
• A fact sheet for prescribers — to guide decision-making for initiating, reviewing and/or ceasing IV fluids;
• and posters for clinicians — to support local adoption by health service organisations.
   

Image credit: iStock.com/Bevan Goldswain