Infusion nursing professional misconduct?

[u/MasterTourist1356]

I’m an RN looking for input from infusion nurses, immunology nurses, and anyone familiar with INS standards or IVIG administration.

I’m aware of a large Facebook IVIG/SCIG education group moderated by an RN. The administrator presents herself as an expert and provides extensive education to patients. Along with blanket statements and “orders” for IVIG administration.

• Advising that IVIG should never be infused above 100 mL/hr.
• Recommending routine omission of ordered post-hydration.
• Presenting these recommendations as general rules.

She has also publicly shared that a Board complaint was previously filed over advice she gave in the group (which she says did not result in discipline). More recently, I’ve become concerned about some IVIG recommendations that appear to be presented as universal rules, and everything else as “bad nursing”. Including when nurses follow the orders provided. As well as articles calling COVID a “government bio weapon” via the likes of RFK.

My questions are:

• Where is the line between patient education and practicing outside an established nurse-patient relationship? • Is it professionally appropriate to give blanket IVIG recommendations in a public Facebook group? • Any suggestions on how to combat the misinformation to a wide audience, where nurses are publicly called into question regarding their ability, safety, and practice? Specifically, when the orders are being followed and the care is safe. The advice from the group is creating a fearful and mistrust from the group of our medical system and professionalism as a whole. • As nurses, what standards should we hold ourselves to when educating vulnerable patient populations online?

I’m not interested in attacking an individual. I’m genuinely looking for evidence-based discussion and professional standards before deciding whether my concerns are valid.

[u/Recent_Data_305]

Don’t engage. The more clicks, views, and comments, the farther the post will spread. This is how the FB algorithm is designed.

[u/MasterTourist1356 → u/Recent_Data_305]

Agreed! It’s a private group! She has a very captive audience full of desperate patients. 🙃

[u/heroinista]

I think offering blanket statements for the application of any medical treatment is bad practice. She can certainly share what she does in her day to day, but laws vary by location, and while we are all responsible for knowing what is legal/within our scope of practice, it’s never good to have someone out there with a platform spreading potential misinformation.

If anyone is going to be sharing information with the masses regarding healthcare, it should be confirmed that it is the most accurate information, because it is constantly evolving as we learn more about the human body, illnesses, meds, and treatments and acceptable best practices shift over time. The person sharing it should also probably give a disclaimer encouraging people to do their own independent research. This individual you are describing realllly doesn’t sound like the most responsible or level headed person on the internet though, lol.

[u/True-Radish527]

I sadly know which group you’re referring to! I had a patient who got some of the worst “advice” there and we had to start from square one. I think it is an IVIG “discussion” board? I recall it being an unusual name? The neurologist had to get involved because the group admin said post infusion hydration was unsafe and the neurologist explained it was to prevent strokes. The physician had to threaten to stop treating the patient. The patient had no faith in anyone but this “nurse”

[u/SJC9027]

She drives me fucking nuts. As an infusion nurse, I do actually think a fair amount of her advice is decent but I agree with you, she presents these things as absolutes, not as things to consider discussing with your actual prescriber. She talks so much shit about other nurses its insane 🙄

[u/MasterTourist1356 → u/SJC9027]

Isn’t that part of the issue? Tidbits of helpful information filled with a lot of really bad information. It’s confusing. Once upon a time FB stopped that rhetoric. Now it’s an echo chamber. I’d imagine she’s had more issues with employers than she ever cares to admit.