Abstract

Background: Intravenous fluid therapy is one of the measure therapy/interventions that is

instituted as a measure to either prevent or correct problems related to fluid and/or

electrolyte balance or status. Both adults and children are prescribed intravenous fluids as

a sole treatment of a disorder, for example, acute diarrhea, or in combination with other

medications. Purpose: the purpose of this study was to evaluate safety measures taken by

healthcare workers when administering intravenous fluid/ medication therapy.

Methods: a quantitative method of data collection was used to establish facts about the

thesis. Multiple-choice questions with either one correct answer or multiple correct

choices were administered to ten respondents (n=10). Results: results from the study

indicate a clear gap in safety regarding intravenous fluids/ medication administration.

From the study, six participants (60%) denied having IV fluids administration guidelines

or policy in their facilities. Eight participants (80%) denied having had any formal

training on job for the procedure. Those who claimed having trained, seven (70%) had

their last trainings at least five years ago while the remaining three (30%) trained in the

past two years. Two (20%) of the respondents reported using chorhexidine solution and

alcohol 70% skin wipe when disinfecting the skin site.

Conclusion: the study was important to our understanding of safety measures taken by

medical workers when administering intravenous fluids/ medicines that has the potential

to cause many serous complications. There is need for healthcare policy makers,

administrators, and practitioners to improve safety measures taken to reduce or eliminate

the complications.

Keywords
Intravenous fluids/ medicines, safety, complications,