They’re called cosmetic at-home intravenous (IV) infusions and are reported to treat various ailments ranging from hangover relief to dehydration. The affluent clientele had long indulged in mobile IV therapy before the concept gained momentum during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the first recorded instance of treatment reportedly occurred in the late middle ages when doctors furiously attempted to save the life of Pope Innocent VIII following an apoplectic stroke.
Intravenous infusions are directly absorbed into the bloodstream, which makes the treatment option the gold standard for replacing water and nutrient loss in patients. Within the clinical setting, several solutions are administered as sources for hydration and electrolyte restoration.
For example, normal saline and Lactated Ringer’s injection are cornerstone formulas that are indispensable in controlled environments like hospitals and urgent care centers. But, researchers at the American Journal of Infection Control have recently sounded the consumer alarm about the potential dangers of elective at-home IV therapy.
Chief among the concerns that scientists expressed is a need for standardized training for healthcare personnel who staff mobile IV clinics. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “nursing services are necessary to train and educate the patient and caregivers on the safe administration of infusion drugs in the home.”
Despite millions of people undergoing intravenous treatment annually, a small percentage experience untoward side effects. Detractors of trendy infusions argue that non-licensed staff members are ill-equipped to recognize and treat the early signs of client distress.
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Hospital infection protocols are established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to “control and stop the spread of infection in healthcare settings.” With the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus in treatment centers, nurse practitioners routinely encourage medically stable patients to recover at home.
Regularly cleaning surfaces in your house reduces the possibility of bacteria traveling into the bloodstream during intravenous therapy. In addition, mobile IV treatment proponents report feeling empowered by choosing to recover in a cozy, intimate setting.
The practicality of cosmetic IV treatments remains to be seen as the crusade materializes in mainstream society. Establishing a system of checks and balances concerning patient safety is pivotal to maintaining public trust. Federal regulation and skills-based preceptorships are necessary to cautiously evolve the process from a trendy fad to an evidence-based mode of healthcare. Welcome to the MSM Peanut Gallery! Please take responsibility for your behavior as you enter this shared space. Keep conversations courteous and on-topic to foster productive, respectful communication. Review our Community Guidelines before posting.
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