Neonatal Infusion Therapy: Preventing Complications and Improving Outcomes

Infusion therapy is one of the most common procedures performed in the hospitalized patient. Particularly in the neonatal intensive care unit, almost 100% of the patients receive infusion therapy. The process becomes very routine and many patients do not suffer obvious complications. However, some complications are very common and often accepted as part of the treatment. There are measures that can help to decrease the incidence or seriousness of these complications. This article will focus on the process of initiation and maintenance of short peripheral infusion therapy, the most common type administered. Common complications and how they may be prevented or minimized in the neonatal patient are presented. Standards and guidelines currently in place are discussed as they apply to the neonatal population.