Intravenous therapy and infection control

Universal precautions and general infection control measures needs to be considered when undertaking any clinical procedure. When administering intravenous (IV) therapy (medicines and/or maintenance fluids), specific measures need to be considered. This is especially important in elderly patients or if administering IV therapy to those with compromised immunity. There are many reasons why patients may need to receive IV therapy and these will all present with potential problems. This article will discuss IV therapy and some of the infection control procedures one must undertake when administering it.