Category: RN

The evolution of independent for-profit (stand-alone) clinics providing intravenous (IV) hydration therapy has prompted many calls to the CRNS. After completing environmental scanning and a review of best practices, the CRNS has determined that it is within the scope of practice of Registered Nurses (RN) to administer IV hydration therapy and medications, vitamins, and/or electrolytes (additives) while working in stand-alone clinics so long as the nursing process is implemented and appropriate policies and supports are in place to support safe, competent, and ethical care of this client population.  

RNs and Nurse Practitioners (NP) are accountable to practice within their legislated scope of practice and personal competence and to adhere to their Practice Standards and Code of Ethics as they would in any other practice setting.  Registrants must complete the Recognition of Practice process to use the title RN and/or NP and to count the practice hours they have worked in an IV hydration clinic towards licensure.

With the growing popularity of IV hydration therapy and individuals “self-selecting” treatments – for example, to relieve the effects of a hangover, there is an increasing trend of complaints related to unsafe practices and untoward events reported in Canada and the United States.  It is essential for RNs and NPs engaged in this practice to understand that IV hydration is a medical treatment and, therefore, there must be a medical condition for the client to obtain the treatment. As with all treatments and interventions, the risks of accepting treatments should be disclosed to the client and informed consent obtained.   

To provide safe, competent nursing care and to meet the requirements for Recognition of Practice, the following must be in place when performing IV hydration therapy treatments:

1. Appropriate policies, procedures, and resources.
2. A health history and physical examination must be performed and documented by the prescribing NP or physician to ascertain if underlying co-morbidities, such as congestive heart failure or kidney disease, might be a contraindication to the client receiving treatment.
3. Provision for diagnostic testing, as indicated for co-morbidities, should be completed as part of the client assessment. Diagnostic testing should be considered to establish a baseline for ongoing treatment.
4. The infusion must be prescribed to treat a diagnosed medical condition; clients must not “self-select” treatments. 
5. There must be an order from an NP or physician for the RN to initiate the IV and/or administer the IV solution and additives.
6. There must be appropriate documentation, including the client assessment, client consent, treatment ordered and administered, and client response to that treatment.
7. The supplies, including IV lines, solution, and additives, must be procured from a reputable source and stored and handled in alignment with current infection prevention and control (IPAC) best practices and principles. 
8. There must be an ability to manage untoward events, including having the necessary emergency equipment on site.

For more information or to inquire about recognition of practice, please contact a nursing practice advisor practiceadvice@crns.ca.

The CRNS, RPNAS and SALPN are pleased to share a collaborative document developed to guide your decision-making when working with Unregulated Care Providers. Regulated nurses are expected to utilize the nursing process, their knowledge, critical thinking, and judgement when making client care decisions. Not all scenarios can be captured in a document, and the responsibility remains with the regulated nurse to make decisions in the client’s best interest.  

When there are ongoing concerns, the regulated nurse is responsible for working with the health care team to resolve them. Involvement of nursing management and senior administration may be required. Entry-Level Competencies, Practice Standards, and Code of Ethics are resources to guide the discussion. Nursing Advisors are also available to assist.
 
Read the Working with Unregulated Care Providers Resource here.

For those currently working with Unregulated Care Providers, please review this resource and consider how it may relate to your practice. CRNS Nursing Advisors are available to answer your questions. They can be contacted by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca. 

The Aesthetics Nursing resource has been developed for RNs and NPs in response to the evolution of aesthetics nursing and the many questions CRNS registrants have asked regarding this practice area. In this resource, you will find information about the legislated scope of practice, personal competence, education, accountabilities, and expectations for using the nursing process in this area of nursing. In addition, you will find information on the process for obtaining recognition of practice and engaging in self-employed practice for aesthetic nursing.

For those currently practicing or planning to practice aesthetics nursing, please review this resource and consider how it may relate to your practice. CRNS Nursing Advisors are available to answer your questions. They can be contacted by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca. 

The Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative was announced on October 20, 2022, to improve the uptake of biosimilar drugs, and the Government of Saskatchewan continues to provide updates. Visit the Biosimilars Initiative website for the most current and up-to-date news regarding this initiative.

Be advised that Northumberland Pharmacy at Unit F3 924 Northumberland Avenue Saskatoon has been closed by Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) as of the beginning of business day February 28, 2023.

Due to the sudden closure of the pharmacy, patients will not have access to their prescription(s), or the pharmacy-specific records maintained at the pharmacy. Records of filled prescriptions will be available on the Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP).

Prescriptions which were faxed to Northumberland Pharmacy will no longer be accessible to either the patient or another pharmacy if they were not processed by the pharmacy prior to the closure. This could include new refill authorizations and acute care medications. As such, SCPP staff will be faxing prescriptions with a cover letter back to the practitioner as the patients will need to be contacted to see where they would like their prescription(s) sent. The SCPP apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

The pharmacy provides OAT medications to ten patients. The SCPP is working with the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch (DPEBB) and Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) to ensure the transition of care in terms of adjudication of prescriptions.

Pharmacists are enabled under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) section 56 exemption and SCPP Prescriptive Authority Bylaws to continue existing prescriptions to maintain continuity of care for the patients.

SCPP has also provided an email to pharmacists to assist them with managing the situation. Signage has also been placed on the pharmacy exterior doors to assist patients with the name, location, and phone number of surrounding pharmacies to assist them, which includes pharmacies that provide OAT services.

While SCPP has put as many provisions as possible in place to be able to manage this unfortunate situation, they wish to alert CRNS registrants to the possibility of increased requests for prescriptions for patients of Northumberland Pharmacy.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and any questions or concerns from practitioners can be addressed to Deputy Registrar Lori Postnikoff at lori.postnikoff@saskpharm.ca or by contacting 306-584-2292.