Developing practice guidelines for the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin

Abstract

As the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IGIV) continues to expand, infusion nurses have a greater need for a comprehensive understanding of the product, patient risk factors, and comorbidities when developing guidelines for administering IGIV. Because immunoglobulin therapy is a blood derivative product, many nurses may not have as much experience administering this type of infusion. This article provides an in-depth overview of immunoglobulin therapy and helps to define the infusion nurse's major role in coordinating, assessing, and ensuring patient safety during IGIV administration.