That's me!

Meet the author

Cody Kaufman

I am a registered nurse (RN) working in ambulatory surgery, with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and certification in Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nursing (CAPA). My interest in IV therapy has grown profoundly over the years. Through my writing, such as A Nurse's Guide to Intravenous Insertion, I aim to share practical insights and historical knowledge to help fellow healthcare professionals enhance their practice.

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Thank you so much for checking out my book. I truly hope you found it valuable, perhaps even entertaining, and that it provided some benefit to you.If you leave a review, THANK YOU! I’ve written this book to help people, and I genuinely love hearing what you have to say! Written reviews are surprisingly difficult to acquire, so I cherish every one.

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Part I: A Practical Guide to Intravenous Insertion (Extras)

Hand Grips

Forearm Grips

AC Grips

Chemical Phlebitis Extras

Chemical phlebitis often results from solutions with high osmolality (>500 mOsm/liter) or extreme pH levels (<5 or >9). Below are tables I removed from the book, indicating the osmolality in common solutions and medications. Because some of these medications and solutions pose a higher risk for phlebitis, it is important to assess the IV site periodically, especially if a high-risk solution or medication is being infused.

Source:
Pereira-da-Silva, L., Henriques, G., Videira-Amaral, J. M., Rodrigues, R., Ribeiro, L., & Virella, D. (2002). Osmolality of solutions, emulsions and drugs that may have a high osmolality: Aspects of their use in neonatal care. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 11(5), 333–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/jmf.11.5.333.338

Part II: The History of IV Therapy (Extras)

Here is a fun short story that didn't make it in the book:
John Benjamin Murphy and the Murphy drip

In the early 20th century (1910s to 1920s), most fluid replacement was done via rectal infusion, more commonly known at the time as a Murphy drip [3]. American surgeon John Benjamin Murphy invented the Murphy drip in 1909 to administer medications and replace fluids and electrolytes when oral replenishment was not an option [4]. However, by 1928, the Murphy drip took second stage to the growing use of intravenous therapy [1]During World War II, a peculiar story unfolded on June 4, 1942, involving Pharmacist’s Mate Edwin Miller, stationed on Sand Island of the Midway Atoll. As the island prepared for a Japanese attack, Miller brewed an intensely strong pot of coffee. The coffee wasn’t intended for drinking but for use in a traditional medical practice—administering a stimulant rectally through a Murphy drip to treat patients in shock. The concept behind this method was that the coffee’s extreme bitterness made it unsuitable for oral consumption, but its properties could provide stimulation when delivered rectally.As the attack loomed, Miller’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander A. E. Ady, joined him. Unaware of the coffee’s intended purpose, Dr. Ady asked for a cup. Seizing the opportunity for a prank, Miller allowed him to drink it. To compound the joke, Miller also took a sip himself. The coffee brewed far too strong for palatability left both men facing its effects in different ways. Dr. Ady, ever unflappable, continued cracking jokes as the attack unfolded, a testament to his resil. Miller, however, paid the price for his joke, feeling quite ill afterward [2].1. Callahan v. Hahnemann Hospital, 26 P.2d 506 (Cal. Ct. App. 1933).2. Lord, W. (1998). Midway: The incredible victory. Burford.3. Millam, D. (1996). The history of intravenous therapy. Journal of Intravenous Nursing, 19(1), 5–14. PMID: 87088444. Morgenstern, L. (2006). John Benjamin Murphy (1857-1916): An american surgical phenomenon. Surgical Innovation, 13(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1177/155335060601300101

Key Figures in IV History

It's always nice to put a face to the name!

High Times in History: William Brooke O'Shaughnessy

Something else that didn't make it into the book, but is quite interesting, is William Brooke O'Shaughnessy's involvement in medical marijuana. O'Shaughnessy was not only instrumental in assisting with the eradication of Cholera in the 1830s, but he later introduced cannabis into Western medicine. An Irish physician and scientist, he was particularly interested in the traditional uses of cannabis during his tenure in India. O'Shaughnessy joined the British East India Company and moved to Calcutta in 1833. It was here that he began his research into the effects of local plants like cannabis and opium, noting their use in local medicinal practices for its analgesic properties[1].In 1839, O'Shaughnessy published his notable study "On the Preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah," in the "Transactions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bengal." This comprehensive paper detailed his observations and experiments with cannabis, describing its potential therapeutic applications in treating ailments such as rheumatism, epilepsy, and tetanus[2]. His work played a crucial role in introducing cannabis to European and American medicine, influencing its inclusion in the U.S. Pharmacopeia by 1851, where it remained until 1942[3].O'Shaughnessy's research marked a significant turning point in medical history, illustrating the potential benefits of cannabis and fostering further scientific exploration into its uses in the West.ReferencesMills, James H. "Cannabis Britannica: Empire, Trade, and Prohibition 1800-1928." Oxford University Press, 2003.O'Shaughnessy, W.B. "On the Preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah: Cannabis Indica Their Effects on the Animal System in Health, and their Utility in the Treatment of Tetanus and other Convulsive Diseases." Transactions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bengal, 1838-1840, pp. 421-461.Booth, Martin. "Cannabis: A History." St. Martin's Press, 2003.

Other Notable Figures in IV History

Cholera Figures From the Book (Plus Some That Didn't Make the Cut)

Other Figures That Didn't Make the Final Cut