Reviewer: Linda K. Connelly, PhD, DNP, MSH, CNS, ARNP, CNOR, COL (retired) (University of Houston)
Description: This is a complete how-to book for administering infusion therapy with several unique features such as "Side Notes on Best Practices," "Warnings, Running Smoothly," "That's a Wrap," and "Memory Jogger." With these unique features, the book delivers clear directions on all vital concepts of infusion therapy and monitoring different IV medications. The book is written by experts in the field in a humorous manner to keep readers interested. The previous edition was published in 2015.
Purpose: The author states the purpose is to teach practicing nurses about infusion therapy and to help them remember the concepts and not the "fluff." The book is needed, especially given the rapid advances in infusion therapy, and it meets the objectives with short paragraphs, many with bullets, and the colored boxes, charts, and outlines that make it easy to reference.
Audience: Although the author does not explicitly state the intended audience, it appears to be RNs and advanced practice RNs. However, the book is appropriate for all healthcare professionals involved in infusion therapy prehospital, in the hospital, and in the home. In the hospital, this could include those involved in radiology procedures involving infusions. The audience also could be expanded to include dental practices and other ambulatory settings that use infusion therapy, such as athletic training. This book, in fact, exceeds the needs of its intended audience. The author and contributors are clinical experts in various nursing disciplines with certification in infusion therapy.
Features: After an introduction, the book starts with peripheral infusion and a chapter on central venous access. The subsequent chapters cover infusion fluids and medications, moving into the more complicated fluids such as blood, antineoplastic agents, biological therapies, and nutritional therapy, concluding with chapters on vulnerable populations. Each chapter begins with "Just the Facts," and presents a thorough discussion of the topic without overkill. Throughout the chapters, memory joggers reinforce learning with anecdotes and mnemonics and alerts highlight possible risks or complications with pointers for running the fluid and machinery without complication. Chapters end with a summary and practice questions, with additional questions in an appendix. Other appendixes include a glossary of common terms and a checklist for central line infections. One topic that could be expanded is the diluting of IV pushes, when to dilute, and with what. Finally, the book covers documentation, but it needs to include legal risks in the discussion of risks and to expand the patient education in each chapter.
Assessment: This is an excellent resource for infusion therapy. Healthcare personnel can quickly locate needed information. There are two other books I am aware of on infusion therapy. Plumer's Principles and Practice of Intravenous Therapy, 9th edition, Weinstein and Hagle (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2014), includes legal ramifications but beyond that, it has pretty much the same content. The key topics in Infusion Nursing: An Evidence-Based Approach, 3rd edition, Alexander et al. (Elsevier, 2010) include quality management, ethical and legal issues, patient education, and financial considerations, making it an ideal practical clinical reference.
