IV Therapy & F/U Appts

Question 1

What is outpatient IV therapy?

Answer 1

Many patients require further IV antibiotic treatment after surgery to ensure there is no risk of pre-op infection. Rather then keep them at the hospital, they may be discharged and arrangements made for the patient to come to the hospital/IV clinic for the daily administration of their IV antibiotics.

Question 2

List the different types of outpatient clinics a patient may be referred to after being discharged from the hospital.

Answer 2

1. walk in Psychiatry
2. acute pain clinic
3. wound healing clinic
4. infectious disease
5. TIA and stroke prevention
6. respiratory rapid access
7. chest pain clinic
8. cast clinic
9. diabetes clinic
10. nutritional counselling

Question 3

Why would a patient who has been discharged require a follow up appointment?

Answer 3

They may need:

• staples/sutures removed
• medications that need adjusting
• lab tests that need follow up
• assessment of their surgical site