Ohio § 4723.18

Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 4723.18, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 4723.18.

(A) Except as provided in section 4723.181 of the Revised Code and subject to the restrictions in division (C) of this section, a licensed practical

nurse may perform intravenous therapy on an adult patient only at the direction of

one of the following: (1) A physician, physician assistant, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist who is authorized

to practice in this state and, except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section,

is present and readily available at the facility where the intravenous therapy procedure

is performed; (2) A registered nurse in accordance with division (B) of this section. (B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section and section 4723.181 of the Revised Code , when a licensed practical nurse performs an intravenous therapy procedure at the

direction of a registered nurse, the registered nurse or another registered nurse

shall be readily available at the site where the intravenous therapy is performed,

and before the licensed practical nurse initiates the intravenous therapy, the registered

nurse shall personally perform an on-site assessment of the adult patient who is to

receive the intravenous therapy. (2) When a licensed practical nurse performs an intravenous therapy procedure in a home

as defined in section 3721.10 of the Revised Code , or in an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities

as defined in section 5124.01 of the Revised Code , at the direction of a registered nurse or licensed 1 a physician, physician assistant, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist who is authorized

to practice in this state, a registered nurse shall be on the premises of the home

or facility or accessible by some form of telecommunication. (C) No licensed practical nurse shall perform any of the following intravenous therapy

procedures: (1) Initiating or maintaining any of the following: (a) Blood or blood components; (b) Solutions for total parenteral nutrition; (c) Any cancer therapeutic medication including, but not limited to, cancer chemotherapy

or an anti-neoplastic agent; (d) Solutions administered through any central venous line or arterial line or any other

line that does not terminate in a peripheral vein, except that a licensed practical

nurse may maintain the solutions specified in division (C)(6)(a) of this section that

are being administered through a central venous line or peripherally inserted central

catheter; (e) Any investigational or experimental medication. (2) Initiating intravenous therapy in any vein, except that a licensed practical nurse

may initiate intravenous therapy in accordance with this section in a vein of the

hand, forearm, or antecubital fossa; (3) Discontinuing a central venous, arterial, or any other line that does not terminate

in a peripheral vein; (4) Initiating or discontinuing a peripherally inserted central catheter; (5) Mixing, preparing, or reconstituting any medication for intravenous therapy, except

that a licensed practical nurse may prepare or reconstitute an antibiotic additive; (6) Administering medication via the intravenous route, including all of the following

activities: (a) Adding medication to an intravenous solution or to an existing infusion, except that

a licensed practical nurse may do any of the following: (i) Initiate an intravenous infusion containing one or more of the following elements:

 dextrose 5%, normal saline, lactated ringers, sodium chloride.45%, sodium chloride

0.2%, sterile water; (ii) Hang subsequent containers of the intravenous solutions specified in division (C)(6)(a)(i)

of this section that contain vitamins or electrolytes, if a registered nurse initiated

the infusion of that same intravenous solution; (iii) Initiate or maintain an intravenous infusion containing an antibiotic additive. (b) Injecting medication via a direct intravenous route, except that a licensed practical

nurse may inject heparin or normal saline to flush an intermittent infusion device

or heparin lock including, but not limited to, bolus or push. (7) Changing tubing on any line including, but not limited to, an arterial line or a

central venous line, except that a licensed practical nurse may change tubing on an

intravenous line that terminates in a peripheral vein; (8) Programming or setting any function of a patient controlled infusion pump. (D) Notwithstanding divisions (B) and (C) of this section, at the direction of a physician

or a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse may perform the following activities

for the purpose of performing dialysis: (1) The routine administration and regulation of saline solution for the purpose of maintaining

an established fluid plan; (2) The administration of a heparin dose intravenously; (3) The administration of a heparin dose peripherally via a fistula needle; (4) The loading and activation of a constant infusion pump; (5) The intermittent injection of a dose of medication that is administered via the hemodialysis

blood circuit and through the patient's venous access. 1

 Prior and current versions differ.  2016 H 216, eff. 4-6-17, included the word “licensed”

here, although that word was not indicated as added text.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 4723.18

What does Ohio Revised Code § 4723.18 cover?

Section 4723.18 is part of the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutory law of Ohio. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Ohio § 4723.18?

A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 4723.18" (Ohio). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Ohio law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Ohio official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

How does Ohio § 4723.18 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Ohio can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.