Intravenous therapy: current practice and nursing concerns

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Intravenous Therapy
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• The scope of nursing practice has expanded to include technical procedures.
• Nurses are embracing new skills for holistic patient care.
• Intravenous (i.v.) therapy is a key area of evolving nursing responsibilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the evolving role of nurses in intravenous therapy.
• To examine the specific nursing role in cannulation procedures.
• To discuss the legal, professional, and practical aspects of expanded nursing practice in i.v. therapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of nursing roles in i.v. therapy.
• Analysis of legal and professional frameworks for expanded practice.
• Exploration of practical i.v. access and maintenance considerations.
• Application of the nursing process to i.v. therapy scenarios.

Main Results:

• Nurses are actively taking on complex i.v. therapy tasks, including cannulation.
• Expanded nursing practice in i.v. therapy requires a team-based approach.
• Justification for expanded individual nursing practice is supported by the potential to improve service standards and deliver holistic care.

Conclusions:

• Nurses must balance technical skill acquisition with the fundamental caring aspect of their role.
• The expansion of nursing practice in i.v. therapy enhances patient care and service delivery.
• A comprehensive understanding of nursing issues is crucial for effective i.v. therapy management.