When to Start, Stop or Switch
IV fluid therapy is a complex, high risk clinical intervention and requires ongoing decision-making throughout the patient journey. Inappropriate initiation, administration, monitoring or prolonged use can lead to patient harm. 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.
To support health professionals with this decision-making process, the Commission has released:
- Guidance – Intravenous fluid therapy: Principles for safe, appropriate and sustainable use
- Guidance – Safe administration of intravenous fluids: Avoiding venous air embolism
- Fact sheet for prescribers of IV fluid therapy
- Poster for clinicians.
TheIntravenous fluid therapy: Principles for safe, appropriate and sustainable use guidance provides a summary of the core considerations that should underpin all decisions about IV fluid therapy, while Safe administration of intravenous fluids: Avoiding venous air embolism provides guidance on the safe administration of IV fluids to prevent venous air embolism (VAE).
The Commission has also developed a Fact sheet for prescribers to guide decision-making for initiating, reviewing and/or ceasing IV fluids, and a Poster for clinicians to support local adoption by health service organisations.
More information
Visit www.safetyandquality.gov.au/ivfluids or email medsafety@safetyandquality.gov.au