Frequency of Intravenous Therapy Prescription in Primary Care

Kreshnik Kamberi, Endrit Kamberi

Abstract


Introduction: Intravenous (IV) rehydration therapy is frequently used to prevent or correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances when oral administration is either not possible or limited. IV therapy allows fluids to enter the bloodstream directly, bypassing the time required for oral administration. Fluid loss can result from surgeries, accidents, or common conditions like fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, such as acute renal failure, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, acute pancreatitis, and sepsis, IV rehydration is a crucial part of treatment and can be life-saving, even without significant fluid loss.

Aim: This study aims to identify the perceptions of participating nurses regarding the prevalence and significance of prescribing and administering IV therapy in primary care.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) in Pristina from March 1 to March 31, 2024. Data were collected from a sample of 30 nurses, with 10 nurses from each PHCC. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire and an observational checklist prepared in Albanian and translated from English were used for data collection.

Results: The study revealed a high prevalence of IV therapy prescription for various groups of medications, primarily including rehydrating fluids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Nurses reported that the use of these IV medications was particularly common in cases of acute infections and severe dehydration. This suggests that IV therapy plays an important role in symptom management and improving patient health in primary care, reflecting its widespread use in clinical practice to address urgent health needs.

Conclusions and Recommendations: The study concludes that IV therapy is an essential intervention in emergency cases, highlighting the need for further training of nurses in the correct prescription and administration of IV therapy to ensure patient safety and well-being in primary care.


Keywords


IV Therapy, Intravenous, Prevalence, Prescription, Patients.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v47.2.6732

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