- Reference Number: HEY756/2026
- Departments: Nutrition Support
- Last Updated: 30 April 2026
Introduction
This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about your treatment and help you understand how home intravenous (IV) fluids work. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team or nutrition specialist nurse but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the Hospital Intestinal Failure Service Team.
What are home intravenous fluids?
If you are already on Intravenous (IV) fluids, you will have some idea of what is involved whilst you have been in hospital.
Intravenous fluids are a way of replacing your high fluid losses in the body by giving them directly into the bloodstream. The fluids contain water and electrolytes (sometimes called salts). These are given to stop you becoming dehydrated and to make sure you have the right amount of fluid and salts that the body needs.
Some bags of fluid may contain a mineral called magnesium, which helps replace your blood levels when they become low due to high fluid losses.
The fluids are usually given through a long term, central venous catheter tunnelled under the skin or via a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC Line). Patients usually have their fluids over a minimum of 12 hours at night, but this can vary depending on the volume of fluid to be administered. Members of the Intestinal Failure team will advise you further. Feeds and equipment are supplied by a commercial homecare company, but all other aspects of IV are managed by the hospital Intestinal Failure Service Team.
Can there be any complications or risks?
Whilst you are having your IV fluids at home you will be monitored regularly by the Hospital Intestinal Failure Team in clinic, this is to ensure that you only receive the necessary amount and type of IV fluid.
If you receive too much IV fluids, this can cause you to have symptoms such as swollen ankles, passing a lot of urine and feeling breathless.
Infection of the central line can also occur. In this case, you will need to be admitted to hospital for treatment.
Serious problems are rare; a member of the Hospital Intestinal Failure Team will discuss these with you.
What are the benefits?
Receiving home IV fluids ensures you do not become dehydrated. The main symptom of dehydration can be feeling thirsty. If you do not have enough fluids, you may experience other symptoms such as not passing very much urine, having dark or strong-smelling urine, having a dry or sticky mouth, a coated or furry tongue and cracked lips.
You may also feel dizzy, especially when you stand up. The aim of home IV is to allow people to go home and to live as normal a life as possible. Many people on home IV go out to work, look after a family, go on holiday and take part in sport and social activities like anyone else.
Are there any alternatives?
Home IV is not usually considered if there is another way of keeping a person well. Medication advice and increase of medication is attempted as the first line of treatment alongside dietary and fluid intake advice. A member of the Hospital Intestinal Failure Team will look at this with you. If you wish to discuss possible alternatives in your case, please ask a member of the Team.
How are home intravenous fluids given at home?
The Hospital Intestinal Failure Team normally uses tunnelled central venous catheters or a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) for home intravenous fluids.
When can I go home?
To organise home IV can take a few weeks to arrange. Your nutrition nurse will be able to advise further. Your nutrition nurse will start training you in hospital so you can look after your central venous access device and administer your infusion. They will also order the equipment you need and will discuss your home prescription in the weekly multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting. You should be able to go home when this has all been done and anything else you need has been arranged. Your nurse will advise further.
What support will there be for me at home?
The Hospital Intestinal Failure Team will provide the following just before you go home:
- Details of your homecare company.
- Details of your fluid regime.
- How to contact the Hospital Intestinal Failure Team.
- Follow up arrangements.
A nurse from the homecare company will visit you in hospital prior to discharge. Your nutrition nurse will also arrange a home access visit if this is required. This can take place with your carer and the homecare nurse before you are discharged home.
The homecare company will give you a 24-hour helpline telephone number for use if you have problems with any of the equipment or deliveries. Members of the Hospital Intestinal Failure Team will also be contactable through the hospital switchboard. Your GP will have details of your treatment but should not be the first person to call about any problems with your IV fluids.
What information will people have about me?
The homecare company will need to know your name, address, telephone numbers and your GP contact details.
The Hospital Intestinal Failure Team registers all patients on IV fluids with the National Intestinal Failure Registry; the information we give them does not allow individuals to be identified.
Members of the Hospital Intestinal Failure Team also hold their own records to enable them to look after you.
What if I have problems?
Most problems can be resolved over the telephone – either by the homecare company or your specialist nurse from the Hospital Intestinal Failure Team. However, before you go home your specialist nurse will go through potential problems that may arise.
What happens if or when I do not need home intravenous fluids any longer?
The Hospital Intestinal Failure Team usually leaves the central catheter in place for a few weeks after someone stops IV fluids, just in case there is a need to restart it. The hospital will arrange removal of the catheter and equipment when it is certain that you no longer need IV fluids.
Where can I find out more about home IV fluids?
The ‘IV Handbook for Patients,’ will be given to you within the next few days. This will provide you with more information.
Members of the Hospital Nutrition Team will try to answer any other questions you have if they can.
PINNT: There is a patients’ organisation called ‘PINNT’ (Patients on Intravenous and Nasogastric Nutrition Therapy) which publishes a newsletter and other useful information. They can be contacted on:
PINNT,
PO Box 3126,
Christchurch,
Dorset,
BH23 2XS
Website: www.pinnt.com
E-mail: info@pinnt.com
Further advice: Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Intestinal Failure Service on Tel: 07827 937025.
