We will take it gradually so we can understand what it entails.

What is Drip?

Drip is different from the drip you know when it comes to the medical field.

Hospital drip

To differentiate it from other drips, we prefer to call it a hospital drip.

Drip in the medical field is an intravenous liquid device used for administering a fluid drop-by-drop into a vein through an intravenous (IV) route.

Its benefits are in the treatment by enabling water, medication, blood, or nutrients to access the body faster through the circulatory system and because it bypasses the digestive system and goes directly into the organs, resulting in a 90-100% absorption rate (as opposed to only 20-50% possible orally). That is, you as a health professional can use an IV to deliver other medications, vitamins, blood, or other fluids to your patients.

How many hospital drips do we have?

• Normal Saline Infusion B.P. (0.9%w/v)
• 5% Dextrose Infusion B.P.
• 0.45 Drip (usually for children)

Content of 500ml Normal Saline

Each 100ml contains 0.9g of Sodium Chloride B.P, Water for injections B.P., Electrolytes of Sodium 150 and chloride 150, and calculated Osmolarity of 300 mOsm/liter.

Who is to be given normal saline drip?

Normal saline is sometimes used in diabetic patients for rehydration and for patients with hypotension. Normal saline is to hydrate cells and deliver electrolytes. Another name for saline is salt, and salt is known to boost blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

It can also treat:

• hemorrhage
• hypovolemia
• sepsis
• mild sodium depletion
• and metabolic alkalosis

Content of 5% Dextrose Infusion

Each 100ml contains:

Glucose equivalent to Glucose Anhydrous B.P. of 5.0g, Water for injections B.P., Cal/Litre of 187, and Calculated Osmolarity of 277mOsm/liter.

Who is to be given dextrose saline?

Dextrose saline is not to be given to diabetic patients as it contains glucose. It’s mostly used in hypoglycemia patients and for hydration. It can be used with other medications such as Bico injection, Quinine injection, etc for treating malaria.

That is, Dextrose is used to provide carbohydrate calories to a patient who finds it difficult to eat because of illness, trauma, or other medical conditions. It is sometimes given to patients to flush their body system.

Dextrose may also be used to treat high levels of potassium in the blood.

Cautions for usage

• Do not use if the container leaks.
• Do not use if solution is not clear
• Use immediately following the insertion of the infusion set.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store below 30 degree celsius in a dry place.