SOLUMEDROL (IV)

Methylprednisolone

ALWAYS establish patent IV access and flush PRIOR to mixing medication

ALWAYS establish IV access prior to mixing any meds

ALWAYS make sure you have everything you need to complete infusion before you begin

ALWAYS confirm your medication dose against the medication label and orders

ALWAYS reach out to us first (not the Pharmacy) with any questions

NEVER tell a Pt you have not given a particular medication before

Obtain a clear/clean space to work
Be sure all the necessary supplies are available to complete infusion from beginning to end. You will need IV start supplies, may need IV tubing, flushes.
Be sure medication reaches room temperature before use.

RN ADMINISTRATION

Take baseline vitals and document basic assessment.
Infuse at rate ordered.
Record vitals every 15 minutes after infusion start for the first hour, hourly AND 5-10 minutes post infusion.
Assess vital signs at baseline, every 15 minutes for the first hour, hourly and with each rate change, and post infusion.
Record lot numbers and expiration date.
Disconnect patient and flush line as ordered.
Clean and dispose of used supplies.

PATIENT TEACH

Establish PIV (will need to stay in place for 2-3+ days, so choose comfortable spot)
Teach patient how to mix & infuse Solumedrol via SASH method.
- Solumedrol can be dispensed in an IV bag and run by gravity but is most often dispensed in an Elastomeric, also known as an Eclipse/Medi Ball or AccuFlo device (add link to elastomeric ball video)
Patient will self-infuse for remaining days of therapy. (Blood return is not needed on subsequent days of therapy if line is patent.)
Teach patient how to remove IV at end of treatment.
- Instruct patient if IV becomes red, painful, warm to touch, unable to be flushed to reach out to agency to have new IV placed
Document the patient teach and patient’s understanding and ability to self-infuse