Home IV therapy nurses provide medical and nursing care for patients in their own homes. Drugs, administered intravenously as IV therapy, and since patients receive such care at home, the home IV therapy nurse specialty was created. There is a large demand for this type of care, as the cost of patient care is diminished, but the quality of care remains high when a home IV therapy nurse involved in patient care.

Most people think that the home IV therapy nurse is only intravenous drugs. For example, realize that most of us that each cancer patient receive medication at home is seen and cared for by a home IV therapy nurse. So what makes a home IV therapy nurse do?

In addition to the administration of medications to patients that implements a home IV therapy nurse, doctor. These contracts may be varied and are usually of performing venous and arterial punctures, the administration of blood products and the delivery of patient nutrition transparenteral (abbreviated as total parenteral nutrition and TPN) via a medical infusion pump. TPN is to people who can not or should not eat administered because of their illness. TPN provides important nutrients and is easily by a patient who is weak or tolerate a compromised immune system.

Home IV therapy nurses also monitor patients for infections at dressing changes and infusion sites, initiate emergency treatment if necessary, assess the patient for allergic drug reactions, the patient is assessed for any medical complications and alert the doctor if necessary to document, and that the treatment plan performed and how well the patient responds to treatment.

IV therapy nurses work in different settings, such as in hospitals, home health agencies and physicians. The home IV therapy nurse must be technically adept, bypass patients with various diseases and changing conditions. This type of work appeals to a person’s autonomy longs, is creative, loves to educate patients, loves to work in different environments, enjoy the journey from place to place, and communicates with all people involved in patient care. Empathy and compassion are important personal characteristics that improve patient care by the home IV therapy nurse available.

The educational training through a home IV therapy nurse is essential for good patient home care. The patient and relatives can be trained by the home IV therapy nurse to administer the IV medication (s).

Educational requirements for a home IV therapy nurse RN required with an Associate degree in Nursing (AND), a diploma or a degree as a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN). Medical-Surgical Nursing experience is desirable, which should include IV, venous access and phlebotomy training.

Working as a nurse, home IV therapy is a challenge, but always rewarding. Consider this special niche in nursing, if you are traveling, such as educating patients and their families and make a significant contribution to patient care.

Tags: Home, Nurse, Therapy