COLUMBUS, OH — With the rapid growth of retail IV therapy clinics across the state, Ohio’s top medical regulatory agencies have issued a joint statement warning providers and clinics about critical patient safety concerns and the need for strict regulatory compliance.
The State Medical Board of Ohio, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, and Ohio Board of Nursing released the statement on Thursday, addressing the rise of wellness clinics that administer intravenous (IV) fluids containing blends of saline, vitamins, prescription medications, and amino acids — often marketed to treat dehydration, migraines, fatigue, or to boost athletic recovery.
“As medical regulators, the responsibility of ensuring safe boundaries with emerging trends falls to us,” said Stephanie Loucka, Executive Director of the State Medical Board. “The Medical Board is committed to enforcing its laws and rules to ensure that Ohio patients are treated by appropriately licensed and trained medical providers, in any setting.”
The agencies caution that despite their retail appearance, IV therapy services constitute medical practice that must be performed by qualified, licensed professionals. The joint statement outlines several regulatory expectations, including the proper use of medical staff for diagnosis and treatment, adherence to each profession’s legal scope of practice, compliance with drug compounding and preparation rules, and oversight of clinic operations.
Steven W. Schierholt, Executive Director of the State Board of Pharmacy, emphasized the dangers of improper drug handling: “The Board of Pharmacy has rules in place to ensure the safe preparation of IVs and other drug therapies administered by these clinics. Failure to comply with these standards can have serious adverse impacts on patient health.”
Marlene Anielski, Executive Director of the State Board of Nursing, echoed the need for vigilance: “Nurses engaging in practice in IV therapy clinics or elsewhere are obligated to act deliberately and responsibly, by fully understanding and complying with Ohio law and rules… to ensure the safety and protection of the patients in their care.”
The Boards urge all licensed healthcare professionals involved in IV therapy to carefully review the full joint regulatory statement, which details the legal requirements and standards of care expected in Ohio. Regulators stress that as the IV therapy industry expands, so too does the need to uphold professional accountability to protect patient safety.
