Providing IV therapy education to community nurses

The delivery of intravenous therapy (IVT) in the community has expanded considerably in the UK in the last 20 years. Although some primary care trusts are more actively engaged in providing intravenous services than others, whatever the degree of engagement, staff require knowledge and skills to practice safely. An education provider was commissioned by a group of trusts in West London to deliver education on the principles of IVT. Feedback suggested that this enabled nurses to challenge current intravenous practice in their areas and improve service delivery for the benefit of their patients. This article presents the basis of the curriculum delivered and experience of providing education in IVT to community nurses in West London.