IV Push Beta-Lactams on Med/Surg Units

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Jennifer Baric
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Joined: 12/13/2016 - 22:39
IV Push Beta-Lactams on Med/Surg Units

Hi!

The hospital I currently work at uses extended infusion beta- lactams. Due to research stating patients are not obtaining adequate concentrations in the beginning of treatment we are looking at the possibility of giving the first dose over 30 minutes with subsequent doses administered over 4 hours. One concern is nurses will end up administering all doses over 30 minutes. One idea was to give the first dose as an IV push, however, there is a concern for safety using this method. I was wondering if any other facilities administer beta-lactams by IV Push on their Med/Surg units (we do in our ER only at this time). If so does anyone have a policy for this?

Thanks!