IV Infusion Therapy

IV infusion therapy is a treatment to deliver a fluid, called an infusion, into a vein. You may have IV infusion to get:

Fluids.
Medicines.
Nutrition.
Chemotherapy. This is medicines to stop or slow down cancer cells.
Blood or blood products.
Dye that is given before an MRI or a CT scan. This is called contrast dye.

Tell a health care provider about:

Any allergies you have. This includes allergies to anesthesia or dyes.
All medicines you take. These include vitamins, herbs, eye drops, and creams.
Any bleeding problems you have.
Any surgeries you've had, including if you've had lymph nodes taken out of your armpit or if you have a arteriovenous fistula for dialysis.
Any medical problems you have.
Whether you're pregnant or may be pregnant.
Whether you've used IV drugs.

What are the risks?

Your health care provider will talk with you about risks. These may include:

Pain, bruising, or bleeding.
Infection.
The IV leaking or moving out of place.
Damage to blood vessels or nerves.
Allergic reactions to medicines or dyes.
A blood clot.
An air bubble in the vein, also called an air embolism.

What happens before the procedure?

Eat and drink only as you've been told.
Ask about changing or stopping:
- Any medicines you take.
- Any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you take.

What happens during the procedure?

A person having an infusion with an IV in a vein while sitting in a chair reading a book.

A person receiving fluids through an IV in the arm. The person is in a hospital bed.

Placing the catheter

Your skin at the IV site will be washed with fluid that kills germs. This will help prevent infection.

IV infusion therapy starts with a procedure to place a soft tube called a catheter into a vein. An IV tube will be attached to the catheter to let the infusion flow into your blood. Your catheter may be placed:

Into a vein that is usually in the bend of the elbow, forearm, or back of the hand. This is called a peripheral IV catheter. This may need to be put into a vein each time you get an infusion.
Into a vein near your elbow. This is called a midline catheter or a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). These types of catheters may stay in place for weeks or months at a time so you can receive repeated infusions through it.
Into a vein near your neck that leads to your heart. This is called a non-tunneled catheter. This is only used for short amounts of time because it can cause infection.
Through the skin of your chest and into a large vein that leads to your heart. This is called a tunneled catheter. This may stay in your body for months or years.
Into an implanted port. An implanted port is a device that is surgically inserted under the skin of the chest to provide long-term IV access. The catheter will connect the port to a large vein in the chest or upper arm.
- A port may be kept in place for many months or years.
- Each time you have an infusion, a needle will be inserted through your skin to connect the catheter to the port.

Doing the infusion

To start the infusion, your provider will:

Attach the IV tubing to your catheter.
Use a tape or a bandage to hold the IV in place against your skin.
An IV pump may be used to control the flow of the IV infusion.

During the infusion, your provider will check the area to make sure:

There is no bleeding, swelling, or pain.
Your IV infusion is flowing correctly.

After the infusion, your provider will:

Take off the bandage or tape.
Disconnect the tubing from the catheter.
Remove the catheter, if you have a peripheral IV.
Apply pressure over the IV insertion site to stop bleeding, then cover the area with a bandage.

If you have an implanted port, PICC, non-tunneled, or tunneled catheter, your catheter may remain in place. This depends on how many times you will need treatment, your medical condition, and what type of catheter you have.

These steps may vary. Ask what you can expect.

What can I expect after the procedure?

You may be watched closely until you leave. This includes checking your pain level, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate.
Your provider will check to make sure there are no signs of infection.

Follow these instructions at home:

Take your medicines only as told.
Change or take off your bandage as told by your provider.
Ask what things are safe for you to do at home. Ask when you can go back to work or school.
Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until you're told it's OK. Ask if you can shower.
Check your IV insertion site every day for signs of infection. Check for:
- Redness, swelling, or pain.
- Fluid or blood. If fluid or blood drains from your IV site, use your hands to press down firmly on the area for a minute or two. Doing this should stop the bleeding.
- Warmth.
- Pus or a bad smell.

Contact a health care provider if:

You have signs of infection around your IV site.
You have fluid or blood coming from your IV site that does not stop after you put pressure to the site.
You have a rash or blisters.
You have itchy, red, swollen areas of skin called hives.

Get help right away if:

You have a fever or chills.
You have chest pain.
You have trouble breathing.