IV clinics have come a long way since Jenny Haiar, RN, BSN, first entered the industry when IV drips were best known as a hangover recovery treatment on the Las Vegas strip. Haiar was a labor and delivery nurse at the time and spent most of her time treating pregnant women with IV fluids in the hospital. Whether it was dehydration from nausea or decreased fetal movement, Haiar was alarmed by the hundreds of dollars women paid for a hospital admission when they could safely and more comfortably get the same treatment at an IV clinic.
She set out on her own in 2015, opening iv&co and becoming the first IV clinic in South Dakota.
The pandemic marked a significant shift in IV therapy. People seeking a faster way to recover and those experiencing chronic symptoms of long-COVID turned to IV therapy clinics for help. Before COVID, Haiar would see three to five people a day. Now, she has 30 to 35 clients each day.
Today, IV clinics are growing rapidly as more people embrace wellness treatments for hydration, vitamins and other health benefits. To succeed in this competitive and regulated industry, owners must balance clinical excellence, patient safety and business acumen. Haiar offers some best practices to help your IV clinic thrive.
1. Study the IV industry before entering it
Just because a clinician is trained to give an IV doesn’t mean opening an IV clinic is easy.
“Many people want to jump on this bandwagon because they have an aesthetic clinic or multi-specialty clinics, and they think it’s easy. You have to regulate and monitor for a lot more, and the vitamins are expensive. It’s harder than people think,” says Haiar.
Compounding is an example of how owning an IV clinic can be more complicated than delivering an IV in a hospital setting. The pharmacy delivers the vitamin in powdered form or a vial to an IV clinic. It’s technically considered compounding for a nurse to draw it out of the vial and shoot it into a fluid bag. When Haiar asked the Board of Nursing for guidelines, they recommended she call the Board of Pharmacy. They, in turn, told her to ask the Board of Nursing if compounding is within her scope of practice.
Opening an IV clinic requires constant research, which not everyone is prepared to do. “Everyone wants an easy button, and nobody wants to do the work behind it,” says Haiar.
2. Prioritize regulatory compliance and legal protections
The foundation of a successful IV clinic is a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations that govern the industry. This can be complicated in a field that’s still fairly new and growing. Plus, IV clinics are run by clinicians, but the treatment doesn’t exactly fall into medical practice. There remains a lot of ambiguity for standard practices.
“States and the regulatory bodies really don’t know what to do with us, so there’s a lot of self-directed, due diligence you have to do to stay informed as things are changing so fast in this industry,” says Haiar.
Regulations vary by state and may change at any time. Staying current with these guidelines is essential to maintain compliance and avoid legal pitfalls.
“Participating in industry conferences and training sessions is a great way to keep informed of regulatory updates,” says Haiar.
3. Focus on best practices
There’s no roadmap for starting and running a successful IV clinic. Haiar, for her part, serves as the ambassador for the northern region of the American IV Association (AIVA) –– an organization working to standardize the industry.
Your clinic’s success depends on the expertise and professionalism of your team. This means employing highly qualified medical professionals and training them to deliver excellent care consistently.
As the owner, you must stay on top of every product you offer. “You have to read all the fine print on every package insert from the pharmacy, along with every single part of the Board of Pharmacies and the Board of Nursing’s guidelines,” says Haiar.
4. Emphasize safety and patient care
Safety should be the cornerstone of your clinic’s operations. This starts with comprehensive patient assessments. Before administering treatment, screen clients for allergies, pre-existing conditions, or contraindications that could lead to adverse reactions.
Sterile practices are another critical component. Follow USP 797 guidelines for sterile compounding and administration to minimize contamination risks. Every treatment should be delivered in a clean and controlled environment.
Additionally, always be prepared for emergencies. Even with proper screening, adverse reactions can occur. Equip your team with proper training to handle allergic reactions, fainting or other complications. “As a medical professional, it’s dangerous to think you know everything and nothing ever will happen because you can either seriously hurt someone if you have a huge ego and aren’t careful,” says Haiar.
5. Set yourself apart from other clinics
To thrive in a competitive market, your clinic needs a strong identity. Too often, says Haiar, new clinic owners simply try to copy one another. “You need to have a niche because you can’t compete with large brands like Liquivida or Hydrate IV Bar,” says Haiar.
Picking a niche like athletic performance or fertility and pregnancy IV therapy can help you succeed.
6. Protect your business with professional liability coverage
Finally, Haiar recommends investing in professional malpractice insurance with an insurance broker who understands IV clinics. The industry is so new that specific insurance for IV clinics didn’t exist until recently. “When I started, state regulators, boards of nursing and insurance didn’t know what to do with us, and this industry is constantly shifting. You have good lawyers, a good accountant and good malpractice coverage,” says Haiar.
A commitment to safety, compliance and exceptional patient care will set your IV therapy clinic apart in a growing market. Following these best practices and avoiding common pitfalls can create a trusted and thriving business that contributes meaningfully to your community’s health and wellness.
CM&F specializes in liability insurance for nurse practitioners, nurses and physician associates in IV therapy clinics. CM&F’s superior professional liability insurance is designed to protect your assets, license and reputation, bringing clinicians peace of mind. Click here to learn more.
