State Policies and Facility Practices of IV Hydration Spas in the US

Do US states and intravenous (IV) hydration spa sites vary in policy, regulation, and practice?In this mixed-methods study examining state policies and site practices across all 50 US states and the District of Columbia, it was found that state-level policies governing IV hydration spas vary widely, with only 4 states comprehensively addressing all facets of regulation; facility practices also varied with regard to product offerings, product claims, and staffing. A secret shopper study showed that 86.2% of sites recommended specific therapies for proffered headache and cold symptoms.More stringent oversight of IV hydration spas may be necessary to protect public health.

Corresponding Author: Joseph S. Ross, MD, MHS, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, PO Box 208093, New Haven, CT 06520-8093 (joseph.ross@yale.edu).

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