Understanding the importance of accurate antibiotic administration through an IV administration set (drip): A patient’s guide

Summary

As a patient receiving treatment for a bacterial infection through an IV administration set, commonly referred to as a drip, it’s essential to know that antibiotics play a crucial role in helping you get better. In this blog, Claire Davies, Clinical Therapy Manager at B. Braun Medical Ltd., explores an under-recognised issue that can affect your treatment, the unintentional under delivery of antibiotics via your drip. Claire explains why it’s important to ensure that all of your prescribed antibiotic dose is delivered via your drip and the measures being taken by healthcare providers to ensure that this happens.

Content

How does under delivery occur?

Under delivery of antibiotics occurs as equilibrium is created when the antibiotic infusion container empties and the fluid is met with back pressure from the blood in your vein, resulting in some of the antibiotic remaining trapped in the long plastic tube of your drip. When you look at the long plastic tube of your drip, it might seem like this would only be a very small amount, but this can be anywhere between 20-40%[1] of the prescribed dose of antibiotic. 

Why it matters that you receive the full dose of antibiotics prescribed

Accurate dose delivery of antibiotics is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that the right amount of medication is delivered to fight the infection effectively. Receiving the appropriate dose helps to target and eliminate harmful bacteria causing your illness, allowing your body to heal and recover.

Preventing antibiotic resistance

One of the primary reasons for administering the full prescribed dose is to help to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. When bacteria are exposed to insufficient amounts of antibiotics, they may have chance to survive and adapt, becoming resistant to medication. This can make future infections more difficult to treat and may lead to complications in the long run. By administering all the prescribed dose, we can collectively combat the rising threat of antibiotic resistance and safeguard the effectiveness of these vital medications.

Ensuring successful treatment

To ensure that the total prescribed dose of your antibiotics via your drip is administered to you, your healthcare practitioner needs to flush the tubing of the drip when your antibiotic container has emptied. They can do this in two ways:[2]

Method 1: By detaching your drip from the antibiotic container and re-attaching this to a flush container allowing a compatible solution, for example saline, to clear the trapped volume of antibiotic and infuse this into your blood stream; or

Method 2: By adding a compatible flush solution by connecting a syringe to an injection port above your drip.

As a patient you can actively participate in the accuracy of your treatment by asking your healthcare practitioner to flush the line of your drip so that all your antibiotic dose is administered to you.

Conclusions

As a patient undergoing IV antibiotic treatment, understanding the significance of ensuring all of your antibiotic dose is administered to you is essential for your well-being and the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Your healthcare team is committed to providing you with the best possible care and they can help prevent the risks associated with under delivery by flushing your drip to ensure that you receive what has been prescribed to you.

References

1. Santillo M. IV Forum; Advancements in IV Administration, 2022. 
2. National Infusion & Vascular Access Society, Intravenous Administration of Medicines to Adults: Guidance on ‘Line Flushing’, version 3, 2021.

Related reading:

• Short-term intermittent IV antibiotics – Understanding the issue of under delivery

About the Author

Claire Davies is a registered children’s nurse for 23 years. In more recent years, she has been employed in a clinical role in the healthcare industry working in partnership with the NHS to facilitate the achievement of national and local targets with particular interest in patient safety.