Intravenous therapy is a popular medical technique but can pose risks, even fatal ones (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNS/VNA) –
Patients taking intravenous therapy must strictly follow their doctor’s
prescription to minimise possible side effects, doctors affirmed after recent
tragedies have illustrated the dangers of intravenous medicines.
Most recently, on October 16, a 22-month-old baby in Yen Thuong commune in Hanoi’s
Gia Lam district died after having an intravenous drip at a private clinic in
Long Bien district.
Before being taken to the clinic, the baby suffered from diarrhea and fever.
Within only five minutes of starting intravenous therapy, the baby showed
signals of anaphylactic shock.
Nguyen Quang Trung, head of the private healthcare management division under
the Hanoi Heath Department, said that the clinic was not licensed to provide
the intravenous service.
A 6-year-old girl in the northern city of Hai Phong reportedly died
in the middle of this month after taking an intravenous drip at Le Chan district
General Hospital.
In April, the death of a 48-year-old teacher in
the Central Highlands Province of Dak Lak was also related
to intravenous therapy carried out at a private clinic.
The recent fatalities have raised the alarm on the substandard practice of
intravenous therapies.
(IV) is a therapy that delivers liquid substances directly
into a vein. The intravenous route of administration can be used for injections
or infusions. Intravenous infusions are commonly referred to as drips.
With the availability of and , people
in Vietnam, especially in urban areas, nowadays can easily access an emerging
medical service that offers intravenous therapy at home.
The convenience of the service has made more and more people prefer to seek an
intravenous drip as soon as they feel unwell. Instead of going to see a doctor
at reliable healthcare centres or hospital, they seek the treatment at
freelance healthcare practitioners, private clinics and even uncertified
providers.
Nguyen Thi Nga, 60, of Tay Ho district, Hanoi said that whenever she or other
members in her family feel exhaustion, fatigue and loss of appetite, she
immediately thought about intravenous therapy as a way to re-hydrate and ingest
nutrients.
She said that she thought the practice would help improve their health and stop
illness.
“In many cases, I feel better after taking the intravenous drip,” she said.
More notably, Nga said she had met the health care practitioner who offered the
service through her acquaintances and she did not know exactly which hospital
he worked for or whether or not he graduated from a medical school.
Associate Professor and Dr Nguyen Tien Dung from Bach Mai Hospital said
that intravenous therapy was a popular medical technique but could pose risks,
even fatal ones.
“Intravenous therapy cannot be used for every one and should not always be the
first option,” he said, adding that almost all medical and liquid substances
used for intravenous therapy could have unexpected side effects.
“Intravenous therapy must follow a doctor’s prescription based on test results
and the patient’s health conditions,” he said.
The technique must be carried out at certificated health care units and
strictly controlled by health care providers who could address unexpected
situations in a timely manner.
“It’s very dangerous if someone has an intravenous drip without doctors’
prescription and control because they feel tired or a loss of appetite, they
could be experiencing the symptoms of a more serious illness,” he said.
He added that the misuse of the therapy could cause serious complications, such
as for children suffering from pneumonia or heart diseases.-VNS/VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
