The Utility of Intravenous Infusion
You may have heard of intravenous infusion and wondered about its applications. Here, you will learn about catheter types, catheter uses, therapeutic forms, infusion settings, and infusion applications.
Intravenous infusion therapy is a technique used to supply substances to the body through a vein, catheter, or medical port, at a slow or controlled rate using gravity or a pump. Infusion services Nevada may carry infusion medications and injectables for your needs.
Catheter Types
A catheter is a thin tube. It is inserted into your vein to provide short-term intravenous access. In contrast, a medical port is an implanted catheter, surgically placed under your skin, offering long-term intravenous access.
Catheter Uses
A catheter may be used to deliver therapeutic or pain medications, antibiotics, radioactive fluids for taking PET or CT scans, blood products, saline solution for dehydration, nutrition, or electrolytes. A catheter may also be used for your blood tests if you need several samples taken periodically over your stay. In this manner, only one puncture may be made to take those blood samples.
Therapeutic Forms
Your doctor may prescribe therapeutics to be given to you through infusion, injection, or oral form. When medication is delivered through infusion, it goes into your vein and enters your blood circulatory system. On the other hand, injections may enter your system differently based on the injection site, whether in your vein, muscle, or under your skin. And when taken in oral form, tablets or capsules enter your digestive system.
Infusion Settings
You may choose to receive your infusion therapies in a setting convenient to your needs and stage of the disease: your home, a hospital, clinic, or your doctor’s office. You may be given one or more pre-medications for nausea and other potential side effects before receiving one or more infusion therapies. You may also receive 24/7 phone support for emergencies, problems, or questions you may have.
Infusion Applications
Infusion therapies have broad applications to diseases like cancer, Crohn’s disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and neuropathy.
