"Foreign Matter" Shows Up In IV Solutions

The November/December 2001 issue of the journal Nutrition reports that small bits of foreign material, including glass and plastic, regularly turn up in intravenous (IV) solutions given to feed hospital patients.

Lead researcher, Dr. Patrick Ball, says, "We've known for years that particulate contamination is present in [IV fluids]. He goes on to say that "many in the healthcare profession do not see it as a problem."

There are those who disagree with that notion says Ball. There are reports that link the contamination to many complications in seriously ill patients such as small bowel obstruction.

In the study, samples of 40 solutions were examined and "large numbers of particles" were found. When the particles were examined, they appeared to be small fragments of plastic, glass and talc. While the glass and plastic could be traced to the original containers the solutions were packaged in, there was no clear explanation of where the talc came from. Further investigation is planned.

The researchers go on to conclude that their findings lend support to the FDA's recent recommendation that in-line filters be used on all IV solutions.

In commentary, we can't help but wonder, if the people who don't think unaccounted for foreign matter in IV solutions is a problem were taking IV fluids themselves, would they ask for an in-line filter? We're going to bet that they would but you just never know.