St. Vincent's Medical Center's IV therapy department will be hosting an all day fair entitled, "IV Therapy: A Kaleidoscope of Care," on Wednesday March 14th from 7:30am until 4:00pm in the Main Lobby. The event is free and open to the public.  

Visitors and medical center staff will have the opportunity to observe and learn about all the different devices used to administer IV Therapy through hands-on demonstrations and educational materials.  

Many patients now go home or to rehab facilities while still on IV therapy. Patients and caregivers who attend the fair will be able to learn about St. Vincent's POPS program (PICC Out Patient Service) and the various other services and devices used in IV Therapy. 

St. Vincent's POPS program is available to patients who are undergoing therapies with long durations, (more than seven days), and allows them a convenient approach to treatment without overnight hospitalization. The service works well for patients on certain chemotherapy regimens, extended antibiotics for illnesses such as Lyme Disease and for patients requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN), due to the fact that the PICC can remain in the arm for up to a year. A PICC, or a peripherally inserted central catheter (also called a PIC line), is a form of intravenous therapy in which a flexible tube is inserted into a peripheral vein, usually on the inside of the elbow, and guided up to the right atrium. The gentle and painless process utilizes ultrasound to guide the insertion and X-ray to ensure correct positioning. Once inserted, the PICC line enables patients to self-medicate and avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals or infusion centers. 

For more information on St. Vincent's IV Therapy services or the fair, please call 1-877-255-SVHS (7847).