As a Certified Heart Failure Nurse, we have administered IV Lasix as ordered by Nurse Practitioner (also Certified in Heart Failure). We never got to developing a protocol as leadership and priorities changed, as they often do.
We used guidelines from the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN) and the Heart Failure Society of America (HSFA) which highlighted the need to assess the status of several things:
Electrolytes
Kidney function
Voiding post IV Lasix
We provided education and routinely outreached to these patients following their visit.
As well we ascertained they knew who to call, when/what symptoms, etc.
I will say that Nurses providing IV Lasix (either with protocol or provider support) are doing much more than pushing an IV drug.
I recommend taking the time to call our the RN specific practice involved here, capturing the data and outcomes from these visits. Important to include financial ir; yhe number of ER visits and avoidable admissions. Then, speak to it. Publish it, contribute to research, write a business plan for your organization.
There is so much opportunity for RNs to lead these visits and be supported in doing so!
Thanks for the post/question.
Deb
Deborah L. Cantlin, MSN, RN, CHFN, AMB-BC
She/Her
Nurse Educator-Professional Practice
Dartmouth Health Daisy Coordinator
Department of Nursing Excellence
Tel 603 650 6746
Dartmouth-Health.org
