News — hydration

Prepared Physician’s Monthly Pearl of Wisdom for February 2021: Our friend Crystal, Crystalloid 0

Whether it’s the fallout of your rambunctious college student’s party weekend, or the gloomy revenge of aunt Nancy’s potato salad that was left out on the table too long, managing hypovolemia is part of being a Prepared Physician.

It is recommended that initial fluid replacement be completed with crystalloid solution. This raises the question of which fluid, 0.9% saline or a buffered crystalloid solution, such as lactated ringers. A review of the literature tells us that in small volume resuscitation, less than or equal to 2 L, neither solution has been proven to be consistently superior. With large volume resuscitation, greater than 2 L, this should be an informed decision individualized by factors such as patient chemistries, estimated volume of resuscitation, potential for adverse effects of the solution, as well as facility and physician preference. 
Mandel,MD; P. Palevsky,MD; et al. “Treatment of severe hypovolemia or hypovolemic shock in adults”. Jan 2021 UpToDate.

Prepared Physician has IV hydration kits available with your choice of 0.9% saline or lactated ringers, so you can be prepared for volume resuscitation within the comforts of your usual practice and home! Check out our IV hydration kit options today!

Nathan Whittaker, MD

Prepared Physician 

Prepared Physician’s Pearl of Wisdom for January 2021 Poking where? 0

When loved ones suffer the onslaught of relentless fluid loss from any cause, the need for intravenous rehydration will quickly arise.

With the quandaries of quarantine confounding easy access to health care, a prepared physician can provide treatment at home with ease and efficiency using our IV hydration kits!

For intravenous access in the upper extremity, the metacarpal and dorsal veins comfortably allow access with 22-20 gauge IV catheters. Accessing these veins still allows functional mobility of the arm while IV access is in place.

For short term IV access, when extremity mobility is not a concern, access of the more proximal cephalic, medial cubital, or basilic veins is appropriate. These veins can accommodate IV catheters sized 22-16 gauge. 

Roberts, JA et al. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care, 2019; 395-396.

Prepared Physician’s IV hydration kits come with 22, 20, and 18 gauge IV catheters, so you are prepared for any scenario.

Check out Prepared Physician’s great options for IV Hydration Kits and be prepared for any illness to strike!

Nathan Whitaker, MD

Prepared Physician