Journal of intravenous nursing : the official publication of the Intravenous Nurses Society
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Home pain management is a complex and challenging therapy for the home infusion nurse. A thorough knowledge of pain assessment, therapeutic approaches, and pharmacology of narcotics; management of side effects; and a recognition of individual variations in response are necessary for successful pain control. ⋯ A retrospective chart review of 20 patients cared for by Deaconess Home Health Care Corporation in Boston, Massachusetts, illustrates the wide variation in individual narcotic requirements necessary to achieve pain control. Three case studies are also included to provide further comparison.
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Home intravenous therapy offers many benefits for children as well as adults. Infants less than 1 month old may also benefit from home I. V. therapy. ⋯ V. therapy recipients, and providing safe home I. V. therapy for them requires changes in standard home I. V. policies and procedures.