High Professional Requirements for IV Practitioners

Intravenous injection/infusion (IV) is a complex medical technique that requires practitioners to have extensive expertise and proficient skills. To ensure patient safety and treatment effectiveness, those working in this field must meet extremely rigorous and strict requirements.

1. Educational/Academic Requirements for IV Practitioners

To ensure patient safety and service quality, individuals working in intravenous therapy must be properly trained and regularly update their knowledge.

Typically, those working in intravenous therapy are required to hold healthcare-related degrees, specifically in nursing, granted by universities or colleges. This degree ensures they have acquired foundational knowledge in physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, as well as practical skills in medical orders and patient care.

After obtaining a degree, healthcare professionals may participate in specialized intravenous therapy courses. These courses are often organized by hospitals, medical training centers, or pharmaceutical companies.

In the U.S., nursing students go through extensive learning and practice of IV infusion during their nursing education. For instance, the Dean of the East Carolina College of Nursing (USA) designs a detailed checklist for IV infusion practitioners for students to learn and practice.

2. Specialized Knowledge Requirements for IV Practitioners

To ensure safety and effectiveness during intravenous therapy, practitioners must possess a solid foundation of specialized knowledge, including:

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology: IV practitioners must thoroughly understand anatomy and physiology, particularly the circulatory system, including the structure and function of veins. Additionally, they must be well-versed in IV fluids, from composition and uses to indications and contraindications. Lastly, knowledge of injectable medications, such as their properties, side effects, interactions with other medications, and preparation methods, is mandatory.
• Knowledge of IV infusion techniques: IV infusion is a complex field requiring practitioners to master various skills. From selecting the appropriate infusion method (such as peripheral IV, central IV, or blood transfusion) to choosing the proper needle size and type for each patient, these decisions directly impact treatment effectiveness and patient safety. The infusion process also involves meticulous steps, from preparing sterile equipment to closely monitoring the patient’s condition post-infusion. Moreover, practitioners need to be alert to potential complications and know how to handle them promptly to ensure patient safety.
• Pharmacological knowledge: Compared to oral medication, IV therapy has distinct advantages. However, IV infusion is more complex because medications are delivered directly into the bloodstream. Practitioners must have pharmacological knowledge to understand how drugs interact with the body, allowing them to select the appropriate medication and dosage. Furthermore, understanding drug interactions is crucial to avoiding unwanted side effects.
• Patient care knowledge: Patient care is an integral part of the IV infusion process. Before infusion, practitioners need to thoroughly assess the patient’s health status and identify risk factors that may affect the infusion process. During infusion, vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and respiration must be closely monitored to detect any abnormalities early. After infusion, the patient and their family should be instructed on how to care for the infusion site, what symptoms to watch for, and when to contact medical staff.
• Safety in IV infusion: Safety is paramount during IV infusion. To ensure patient safety, practitioners must understand sterile principles throughout the infusion process. This helps prevent infections, one of the dangerous complications that can occur. Additionally, other safety measures, such as avoiding fluid overflow, catheter blockage, and air embolism, must also be followed.
• Regulatory and guideline knowledge: To ensure the quality of healthcare services and patient safety, practitioners must be familiar with the regulations and guidelines for IV infusion. Regulations from the Ministry of Health and international health organizations such as WHO provide detailed standards and guidelines on the infusion process, from preparation to patient monitoring. Adhering strictly to these regulations helps ensure that IV infusion is performed as safely and effectively as possible.

Specialized knowledge is the key to ensuring safety and effectiveness in intravenous therapy. It helps IV practitioners prevent complications, facilitate patient recovery, and comply with healthcare regulations.

3. High Practical Skills Requirements

In healthcare, especially in procedures involving IV infusion, practitioners with strong practical skills ensure patient safety and the effectiveness of the treatment process.

• Sterility skills: Sterility skills are essential in the IV infusion process. All equipment, devices, and practitioners must be sterile to prevent bacteria from entering the patient’s body, thereby avoiding infection. Ensuring sterility minimizes the risk of dangerous complications that may arise after infusion.
• Observation skills: Observation skills require practitioners to detect early signs of patient abnormalities during the infusion process, such as fever, pain, swelling, redness at the infusion site, difficulty breathing, or changes in blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. Additionally, they must monitor and compare vital signs before and after the infusion to assess the effectiveness of the process.
• Communication skills: Communication skills require practitioners to clearly and simply explain the infusion procedure to the patient and their family, helping them feel more reassured and cooperative during the treatment process. Furthermore, building a trusting relationship with the patient is extremely important, making them feel cared for and more willing to collaborate in treatment.

Overall, the practical skills requirements for IV practitioners aim to ensure safety, enhance treatment effectiveness, and build trust with patients.

4. Work Attitude Requirements

IV practitioners not only need to have strong specialized knowledge but also a dedicated, responsible work attitude, always putting the patient’s best interests first. Work attitude requirements for IV practitioners include:

• Caring for patients attentively: This means all decisions and actions are aimed at delivering the best possible health outcomes and comfort for the patient, demonstrated through listening, understanding, and meeting their needs. Additionally, caring for and encouraging patients is very important; comforting words and thoughtful gestures help patients feel more comfortable and trusting throughout the treatment process.
• Carefulness and meticulousness: Being careful and meticulous means strictly following procedures without being complacent. Every step in the IV infusion process is crucial to ensuring patient safety and service quality. Furthermore, thoroughly checking before performing actions is necessary to minimize errors.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Flexibility helps healthcare professionals effectively handle unforeseen situations, ensuring the patient care process is not disrupted. Additionally, the infusion plan needs to be adjusted when necessary based on the patient’s actual condition, ensuring they receive the appropriate amount of fluids and electrolytes.

5. Why are the Professional Requirements for IV Nursing so High?

The high professional requirements for IV nurses stem from the fact that this is a medical technique demanding precision and meticulousness, directly related to patient health and life. Specifically:

• High risk of complications: If not performed correctly, IV infusion can lead to many dangerous complications, such as infections, embolism, edema, anaphylactic shock, and even death.
• Diversity of medications and IV fluids: There are many different types of medications and IV fluids, each with its characteristics and usage methods. Nurses must thoroughly understand each type to select the right drug, correct dosage, appropriate infusion rate, and monitor the patient’s reactions.
• Diverse patient groups: Nurses must provide IV therapy to various patient groups, from newborns and young children to the elderly and critically ill. Each group has different physiological and pathological characteristics, requiring nurses to adjust their IV techniques accordingly.
• Continuous knowledge updates: The field of medicine is always evolving, with many new drugs and IV techniques emerging. Nurses must continually learn and update their knowledge to ensure they always perform IV techniques safely and effectively.

IV therapy is a complex medical technique that requires practitioners to have in-depth knowledge, proficient skills, and a high level of responsibility. The professional requirements for healthcare workers performing IV therapy are entirely justified to ensure patient safety and the quality of healthcare services.