Nov. 12, 2015

DEPARTMENT OFFERS IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS FOR IV CLINIC CONSUMERS

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—Intravenous (IV) clinics have opened across the state of Florida in recent months offering hydration, vitamin infusion and other services. The Florida Department of Health wants to make sure that anyone who chooses to visit an IV clinic has a safe and healthy experience. Consumers should be aware that Florida’s statutes and rules for practicing medicine are specific in detailing who is allowed to administer an IV.

Here are some tips if you are seeking health care services from an IV clinic:

• Consult with your primary care physician regarding any underlying medical conditions or potential drug interactions;
• Verify the licensure and qualifications of the health care provider using the department’s website; and
• Familiarize yourself with additional information and potential risks associated with IV or injection administration available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

In October, the department’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) Unlicensed Activity Program (ULA) took action against a number of IV clinics, which were identified as posing a potential health threat to Florida’s residents and visitors. Investigators issued several cease and desist notices to paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) for operating outside their scope of practice as established by Florida’s statutes and rules and for practicing medicine without the proper license.

The department’s ULA program protects Florida’s residents and visitors from the potentially serious and dangerous consequences of receiving medical and health care services from an unlicensed person.

The Florida Department of Health has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:

• Consumers are encouraged to use the department’s website www.flhealthsource.gov where they can conveniently view the license information of their health care provider.
• Complaints may be filed anonymously by completing and mailing the complaint form on the department’s website or by calling 1-877-HALT-ULA.

Working in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, MQA regulates seven types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 health care professions. MQA evaluates the credentials of all applicants for licensure, issues licenses, analyzes and investigates complaints, inspects facilities, assists in prosecuting practice act violations, combats unlicensed activity and provides credential and discipline history about licensees to the public. Visit: www.flhealthsource.gov for additional information about MQA.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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