Table of Contents

1. What Is IV Bolus?
2. What Is An IV Push?
3. What’s the Difference Between IV Bolus and IV Push?
4. Which One Do You Need?

You may have heard about mobile IV therapy, with friends and family talking about how IV treatments have helped them curb negative symptoms, overcome hangovers, and generally improve their health. What you may not be aware of is how IV treatment works and what the different types of IV therapy available are.

In this article, we will go over the various types of IV therapy and explain how each treatment method can benefit you and your health goals. We’ll help answer the question: What is an IV bolus? After all, we want you to feel confident you’re getting the treatment you need.

The essence of IV therapy is the same no matter the type: An intravenous (IV) injection delivers fluids to the bloodstream, where they’re absorbed quickly and with maximum effectiveness. These IV fluids can contain vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, medications, and other supplements, depending on the health issue being treated. IV therapy can increase your energy, improve mental alertness and alleviate symptoms associated with conditions such as illness, migraines, and hangovers. 

Standard, or drip, IV therapy is perhaps the most commonly known. This is the IV you receive in a hospital: One end of the IV line is inserted into a catheter in your arm, while the other is attached to a bag of fluids hanging from a pole. With the fluid line closed, a pump or the pull of gravity prompts a slow, steady drip over many hours for constant fluid intake. 

However, when you need fluid replenishment outside of a hospital setting, you probably don’t want to spend hours waiting for a standard drip IV to run its course. That’s when you may encounter two other types of IV therapy: IV bolus and IV push.

What Is An IV Push?

There are timely situations, and then there are critical, life-or-death situations where a second can’t be wasted, such as when someone is suffering a heart attack or an anaphylactic allergic reaction. These are circumstances that call for an IV push.

When it comes to an IV push vs. an IV bolus, the difference is all in the timing. An IV push is administered within 30 seconds. To achieve this rapid response, an IV push doesn’t rely on a drip bag. Instead, a medical professional uses a syringe to immediately move fluid through an IV catheter. The difference between an IV push and an IV drip is vast, which is why they are used in such different circumstances.

What’s the Difference Between an IV Bolus and an IV Push?

All you need to remember is that an IV push takes a few seconds to deliver medication, while an IV bolus takes minutes. Regardless of the delivery time, both have something important in common. These IV treatments deliver instantaneous results because they hit the bloodstream faster. Typically, an IV push is used when the patient needs nutrients very quickly, like in emergency situations. An IV bolus is used in non-emergency situations that still require a quick dose of nutrients to be delivered to the patient.

A qualified medical professional will determine which type of treatment to use.

Which One Do You Need?

When it comes to IV therapy, you need a balance of speed and efficiency for the most for the safest and most effective treatment. That’s why Rocky Mountain IV Medics typically offers an IV bolus for our clients, which gives you a steady dose of rehydration and symptom relief without requiring long periods of time for administration.

You’ll also be happy to know Rocky Mountain IV Medics is a leader in IV bolus treatment, offering it in multiple service areas throughout Colorado. Our registered nurses and paramedics provide treatment at your home, office, or other convenient location—and they can get to your address within an hour after contacting us.

Our medical professionals have significant IV therapy experience, so you’re in good hands. They’ll review your medical history and current health condition to devise the best treatment for your individual needs, whether you need to prevent dehydration during athletic workouts, rebound from the flu or alleviate symptoms of chronic health issues. Your treatment could be the popular Myers’ Cocktail, one of our specialty IV packages tailored to specific health needs, or an IV bag customized just for you with a particular blend of vitamins, nutrients, or medications. 

A typical IV bolus treatment session takes about 45 to 60 minutes, which allows your body to casually absorb the vitamins and nutrients without being overwhelmed. Plus, while you’re receiving treatment, you’ll also be able to relax at home and watch television, read a book, or simply relax on the couch. All this time, the IV treatment will be working its magic, helping you rehydrate and feel like yourself again.