Intravenous (IV) therapy is a medical treatment that involves administering fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into a patient's bloodstream through a vein. IV therapy is a complex procedure that requires specialized training and knowledge.
It's important to work with a qualified medical professional who is trained and licensed to perform IV therapy to ensure your safety and well-being.
In this blog post, we'll discuss how to determine if you're working with a qualified medical professional who is trained and licensed to do IVs and IV nutrients and why that's important.
This is important!
Did you know that only doctors or nurses are licensed to order and administer IV therapies in California (this may vary a bit depending on the state)? That’s right! So if someone is a phlebotomist, massage therapist, chiropractor, health coach, healer, and the list goes on, and they are offering you IV therapy… RUN!!! Or walk away, but FAST! ;)
Next, not all doctors and nurses are trained and experienced in IV nutrient therapies. So even if they are a doctor or nurse, check into to their experience with IV nutrient therapies. It is a specialty. Afterall, you wouldn’t go see a GI doctor for brain surgery, would you? So same thing applies here.
In short, you really want to work with a qualified health professional (doctor or nurse), who specializes in IV nutrient therapies (has some specific training and experience with this special therapy).
How to determine if you're working with a qualified IV nutrient therapy medical professional... read on...
How to determine if you're working with a qualified IV nutrient therapy medical professional:
Check their credentials: The first step in determining if you're working with a qualified medical professional is to check their credentials. Make sure they have a valid license as a doctor or nurse and that it's up to date. Next, check to see if they have completed any training or certifications in IV therapies and specifically, IV nutrient therapies.
Ask about their experience: It's important to work with a medical professional who has experience in performing IV therapy. Ask about their experience, how many procedures they've performed, and if they've encountered any complications.
Check their reputation: Check online reviews and ratings of the medical professional or clinic you're considering. This can give you an idea of their reputation and the experiences of other patients.
Verify their training: The best IV nutrient therapy practitioners I know have all studied this specific type of therapy extensively and know exactly what they’re doing. It’s important to work with a medical professional who has some training and knows what they’re doing. Check if they have completed courses in IV nutrient therapy and ask about their training and experience.
MDs can technically do IV nutrient therapy without training, but I disagree with this. Nurses should have an IV training certificate. And likewise, NDs are required to have IV training certificates. And all of us, in my professional opinion, again, should have completed specialized training in the field of IV nutrient therapies specifically.
Why it's important to work with a qualified medical professional:
Safety: IV therapy involves the direct administration of fluids, nutrients, and medications into the bloodstream, which can have serious health consequences if done incorrectly. Working with a qualified medical professional ensures that the procedure is done safely and effectively.
Quality of care: Qualified medical professionals have the necessary knowledge and training to perform IV therapy correctly. They can ensure that you receive the right fluids, nutrients, and medications in the right dosage.
Reduced risk of complications: Working with a qualified medical professional reduces the risk of complications such as infections, vein damage, allergic reactions, the exacerbation of heart, kidney or liver problems, and even death.
Effective Treatment: When administered with care and customization to the patient’s health condition, IV nutrient therapies can effectively help support patients through recovering from a multitude of health conditions. Customizing the formula correctly in order for it to be effective for the patient’s specific needs, requires special knowledge about how to apply IV nutrient therapies. Many doctors and nurses can probably set up a saline bag to hydrate you after a hangover. That’s simple. But the proper mixing of vitamins and other substances for the patient’s specific needs and health problems does require some extra skill and know-how.
In Summary
IV therapy is a complex medical procedure that requires specialized knowledge and training. It's important to work with a qualified medical professional who is trained and licensed to perform IV therapy to ensure your safety and well-being. By checking their credentials, experience, reputation, and training, you can determine if you're working with a qualified medical professional who can provide safe and effective IV therapy.
At Zuma Wellness, our team is dedicated to providing our patients with the highest quality of naturopathic care. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help you with your IV therapy needs. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you on your path to optimal health.
My clinic, Zuma Wellness, has been Malibu’s Original Go-To Spot for IV Vitamin Drips since 2013!
I've been providing my patients with High-Performance Medicine in Malibu for the past 10 years and I'm proud to be Malibu’s Premier IV Vitamin Drip Clinic.
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And please stay tuned for Part 3 of our IV Nutrition Therapy blog post series: "IV Therapy: How to Determine Which Type of Treatment is Right for You!"
Looking for Part 1? Here it is in case you missed it: "Does IV Nutrition Therapy Really Work or Is It Just a Fad?"
