Getting IVs in ambulances is much more than what you may think. It takes a trained professional to give an IV in an emergency situation. Picture it: your loved one has a medical emergency and needs an IV in an ambulance. The only path forward is a trip to the emergency room and a potential ambulance ride. What’s going to happen in the next few critical minutes of care could be the difference between going home that day or getting a bag packed for a few days in the hospital.

Welcome to the care of trained and experienced emergency medical technicians (EMT). They’re going to oversee making sure your loved one gets the critical care they need in the moments ahead.

But what happens when those EMTs need to get an IV line going to make sure medicines or fluids are being administered?

When should IVs be administered during an ambulance ride?

Interesting fact: Only some EMTs can administer IV lines, but IVs should only be given in an ambulance “when medically necessary, and under stringent guidelines,” according to EMS1, an industry publication.¹

MORE: Read on the 5 Reasons You Might Need an IV.

The same publication also says there are at least three reasons for IV access to be established during an ambulance ride:

• • • Infusion therapy during post-resuscitation care
    • Giving intravenous medications
    • Blood collection to aid in diagnosis

Who can give an IV during an ambulance ride?

There are several different ranks of EMTs – going all the way up to Paramedic.

• • • EMT Basic (EMT-B): Level One EMTs can only perform first aid and assist in other medication administration. This level is not qualified or trained to administer IVs.
    • EMT Intermediate (EMT-I): A Level Two EMT can perform any duties an EMT-B can with additional duties such as perform first aid and medication administration. This level and any other level above it can administer IVs.
    • EMT Advanced (AEMT): A Level Three EMT can perform any duties an EMT-B and EMT-I can and can administer additional types of medications like IV solution.
    • EMT Paramedic: A Level Four EMT can perform all duties inside the ambulance and is largely considered the “highest medical authority outside of the hospital.”

Getting an IV in an ambulance

Now here’s the tough part. There are many things to consider when it comes to getting an IV in an ambulance:

• • • Road conditions
    • Amount of time before arriving at the hospital
    • Type of IV medication
    • Experience level of EMT
    • Urgency of medical issue

MORE: 10 Commonly Asked IV Therapy Questions

Despite all these factors, EMT publication EMS World says it’s not difficult for an EMT to get into their heads about placing an IV line. Still, the publication lists several rules of thumb when it comes to making sure patients receive a high level of care in IV placements.³

Complications in IVs during an ambulance ride

Just like receiving an IV in a hospital, there are several complications that exist when it comes to getting an IV in an ambulance. EMTs are already having to deal with rolling veins, but they are also dealing with IV complications such as:

• • • Infiltration
    • Extravasation
    • Phlebitis
    • Infection

MORE: IV Infiltrations and Extravasations: Causes, signs, side effects, and treatments

Whatever the reason you may find yourself in an ambulance, it is important to remain calm throughout the process. If you are the patient, do what is asked of you during the process if you can. If you are riding along with a loved one, be sure to provide the EMT staff with all the information they are seeking.

EMTs are always there to help you. They are highly trained to act quick, work in high pressure scenarios, and know what to do in many emergency situations.