Extravasations still cause significant tissue damage and should be prevented if at all possible.
The safety of IV treatment is becoming a priority in hospitals and healthcare settings. Knowledge of the properties of drugs helps assess the risk associated with their administration.
Prevention of extravasations is based on the following:
- Identification of patients at high‑risk of extravasation
- Appropriate cannulation techniques
- Monitoring of patients being administered high-risk solutions
Two major components in the prevention/early treatment of suspected extravasations are:
- Awareness of high-risk extravasation factors
- Implementation of easily accessible hospital care protocols
Extravasation guidelines are designed to help healthcare professionals prevent extravasation, and ensure patient safety in the event of an extravasation.
