What to Expect After Mobile IV Therapy

Aftercare, Monitoring, and When to Seek Help

Completing an IV infusion does not always mean that your care ends when the intravenous line is removed.

Depending on the treatment, your symptoms, medical history, and response to the infusion, you may need to monitor the IV site, follow hydration or activity instructions, complete laboratory testing, contact your primary care professional, or watch for symptoms that require medical attention.

Your IVTherapy2go® healthcare professional will provide instructions based on the treatment you received. Follow those individualized directions even if they differ from general information found online.

What Happens When the Infusion Ends?

After the infusion is complete, the healthcare professional may:

1. Stop the infusion

2. Remove the intravenous catheter

3. Apply pressure to the site

4. Place a clean dressing or bandage

5. Recheck appropriate vital signs

6. Ask how you are feeling

7. Review possible side effects

8. Explain IV-site care

9. Discuss follow-up recommendations

10. Identify warning signs that require medical attention

Do not leave or end the appointment before the healthcare professional confirms that the visit is complete.

How Should You Care for the IV Site?

Follow the instructions provided by the medical professional.

General care may include:

• Keep the dressing in place for the recommended period

• Keep the area clean and dry

• Avoid repeatedly touching the insertion site

• Do not scratch the area

• Apply pressure if mild bleeding occurs

• Avoid strenuous use of the arm if instructed

• Monitor for increasing redness or swelling

• Contact the medical team about concerning changes

A small amount of tenderness or bruising can occur after an IV is removed.

Which Mild Effects May Occur?

Depending on the infusion and the individual patient, mild effects may include:

• Tenderness near the IV site

• Minor bruising

• A small amount of bleeding

• Temporary fatigue

• Mild headache

• Mild nausea

• Feeling cool during or after the infusion

• Temporary changes in how you feel

The expected effects differ between hydration therapy, vitamin-containing infusions, iron infusions, antibiotics, diuretics, and other medically directed treatments.

Ask the healthcare professional which effects are expected with your specific infusion.

Do not assume that every symptom is normal simply because it occurred after IV therapy.

When Should You Contact a Healthcare Professional?

Contact the medical team promptly if you notice:

• Increasing pain at the IV site

• Persistent bleeding

• Significant bruising

• Spreading redness

• Warmth around the insertion site

• Swelling that continues to increase

• Drainage or pus

• Numbness or tingling

• A firm or painful vein

• Fever

• Chills

• Persistent dizziness

• Ongoing vomiting

• Worsening symptoms

• A rash or itching

• Any symptom identified in your discharge instructions

Provide the following information when contacting the team:

• Which treatment you received

• When the infusion was administered

• When the symptom began

• Whether the symptom is improving or worsening

• Which medications you have taken

• Whether you have a fever

• Photographs of the IV site when requested

When Should You Call 911?

Call 911 immediately for:

• Severe difficulty breathing

• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

• Severe chest pain

• Loss of consciousness

• A seizure

• New confusion

• Blue or gray lips

• Signs of a stroke

• Severe weakness

• A rapidly spreading severe allergic reaction

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• Another potentially life-threatening symptom

Do not wait for a return telephone call or another mobile appointment when emergency symptoms are present.

Should You Continue Drinking Water?

Follow the instructions provided for your treatment and medical history.

Some patients may be advised to continue drinking fluids after hydration therapy. However, patients with certain heart, kidney, liver, blood-pressure, or fluid-balance conditions may require individualized fluid guidance.

More fluid is not automatically better.

Do not force excessive water intake solely because you received an IV. Ask the healthcare professional how much oral fluid may be appropriate for you.

Can You Return to Normal Activities?

Activity recommendations depend on:

• The infusion received

• The reason for treatment

• Your symptoms

• Medication effects

• Your medical history

• Your response to treatment

• The condition of the IV site

Before the appointment ends, ask:

• Can I drive?

• Can I return to work?

• Can I exercise?

• Should I avoid lifting with the treated arm?

• Should I avoid alcohol?

• Do I need to rest?

• Are there dietary restrictions?

• When can I resume normal activities?

If a medication causes drowsiness, dizziness, or another effect that can impair driving, arrange safe transportation and follow the medical professional’s instructions.

How Quickly Should You Feel Better?

Response time varies according to the treatment and reason for receiving it.

Some patients may notice improvement relatively soon, while others may improve gradually or may not experience the result they expected.

Several factors can influence the response:

• Cause of the symptoms

• Severity of dehydration or illness

• Infusion ingredients

• Prescribed dose

• Existing health conditions

• Medication use

• Nutritional status

• Sleep

• Ongoing fluid loss

• Whether additional treatment is needed

An IV does not automatically diagnose or correct the cause of fatigue, headaches, nausea, dizziness, weakness, or other symptoms.

Contact a healthcare professional if symptoms persist, return, or worsen.

Do You Need Follow-Up Laboratory Testing?

Follow-up testing may be recommended after certain treatments, including:

• Iron infusions

• Electrolyte replacement

• Prescription medications

• Diuretic therapy

• Treatment related to kidney function

• Treatment related to a confirmed deficiency

• Other medically directed infusions

Ask:

• Which tests are required?

• When should the tests be completed?

• Do I need to fast?

• Which laboratory should I use?

• Who will review the results?

• How will I receive the results?

• Will another appointment be required?

• What happens if a result is abnormal?

Do not repeat a medically directed infusion before completing required follow-up.

What If You Do Not Feel Better?

Not feeling better immediately does not automatically mean you need another IV.

Your symptoms may require:

• Additional time

• Oral hydration

• Food and rest

• Primary-care follow-up

• Laboratory testing

• Diagnostic imaging

• Medication

• Specialist care

• An in-person examination

• Urgent or emergency treatment

Do not schedule repeated infusions simply to treat recurring symptoms without evaluating why those symptoms keep returning.

Can You Receive Another Infusion?

The timing of future treatment depends on the type of infusion and your healthcare professional’s recommendations.

Before scheduling another appointment, confirm:

• Whether another infusion is medically appropriate

• The recommended interval

• Whether laboratory results are required

• Whether a new medical order is needed

• Whether your health history has changed

• Whether your medication list has changed

• Whether insurance authorization is required

• Whether the previous infusion caused side effects

Wellness infusions, hydration therapy, iron infusions, antibiotics, and other prescription treatments have different scheduling requirements.

Will Follow-Up Care Be Covered by Insurance?

Insurance coverage for the original infusion does not automatically include:

• Follow-up appointments

• Laboratory testing

• Prescriptions

• Imaging

• Additional infusions

• Specialist care

• Emergency services

• Other recommended treatment

Before receiving non-emergency follow-up care, ask your insurance plan:

• Is the provider in network?

• Is the laboratory in network?

• Is the requested service covered?

• Is prior authorization required?

• Does my deductible apply?

• What is my copay or coinsurance?

• Will a separate claim be submitted?

• What amount may I owe?

Do not delay emergency care while attempting to verify benefits.

Keep Your Treatment Information

Retain information about:

• The date of treatment

• Name of the infusion

• Infusion ingredients

• Dose or fluid amount when provided

• Administered medications

• Healthcare professional’s instructions

• Side effects

• Follow-up recommendations

• Laboratory orders

• Insurance documentation

• Contact information

This information may help another healthcare professional understand your recent treatment if you need follow-up care.

Where Does IVTherapy2go Provide Mobile Care?

Mobile IV services focus on the Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio areas.

Availability may also include:

• Arlington

• Farmers Branch

• Brownwood

• Houston

• El Paso

• Other serviced Texas communities

Availability depends on the patient’s exact address, requested treatment, medical eligibility, staffing, and current service coverage.

Use the IVTherapy2go service-area page to check your location.

Follow the Instructions for Your Treatment

Aftercare should be based on the infusion you received and your individual medical needs.

Before the healthcare professional leaves, make sure you understand:

• How to care for the IV site

• Which effects may be expected

• Which symptoms should be reported

• Whether activity restrictions apply

• Whether laboratory testing is required

• Whether follow-up is necessary

• When to call 911

Visit IVTherapy2go or call (817) 508-8169 for appropriate follow-up and scheduling assistance.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and does not replace the individualized instructions provided by your healthcare professional. Side effects, aftercare needs, and follow-up requirements vary according to the infusion and patient. Call 911 for severe or life-threatening symptoms.