An IV Dialflow is a tubing device with a built-in flow regulator. It controls how fast your IV medication or fluids drip into your catheter.

Follow these instructions carefully to keep your infusion safe and effective.

Supplies You’ll Need

• IV medication bag (or fluids)

• Dialflow tubing set (flow regulator tubing)
• 2 Saline flush syringes
• 1 Heparin flush syringes (if ordered)
• Alcohol or chlorhexidine wipes
• IV pole for hanging your bag
• Clean work area

Before You Begin

1. Wash your hands well with soap and water for at least 30 seconds, then dry.
2. Clean your workspace with a disinfectant.
3. Check your IV bag:
   • Is it your name?
   • Right medication?
   • Right dose and time?
   • No leaks or cloudiness?
4. Let the bag reach room temperature (about 30 min if refrigerated).

Priming the Dialflow Tubing

1. Remove the Dialflow tubing from its packaging.
2. Close the roller clamp (slide it down to clamp it shut).
3. Move the Dial-a-Flow dial to “OFF.”
4. Remove the protective cap from the IV bag port.
5. Remove the protective cap from the spike on the tubing. DO NOT TOUCH SPIKE.
6. Insert the spike firmly into the IV bag port until fully seated.
7. Hang the IV bag on your pole or hook.

Fill (Prime) the Tubing

1. Squeeze the drip chamber until it’s about half full.
2. Open the roller clamp.
3. Slowly turn the Dial-a-Flow dial to the maximum setting (often “250” or “FULL”) to let fluid fill the tubing.
4. When fluid reaches the end of the tubing and all air bubbles are out, close the roller clamp.
5. Turn the Dial-a-Flow back to “OFF.”

Connecting to Your Catheter

1. Scrub the catheter injection cap with an alcohol wipe for at least 15–30 seconds, then let it air dry.
2. If instructed, flush your line with saline:
   • Remove air from saline syringe (push out a tiny drop).
   • Attach to catheter hub.
   • Flush using a push-pause technique.
   • Disconnect and discard.
3. Remove the protective cap from the end of the primed Dialflow tubing.
4. Connect the tubing to your catheter hub.

Setting the Flow Rate

1. Find the rate your pharmacist prescribed (example: 250 mL/hour).
2. Turn the Dial-a-Flow dial to that number.
   • Numbers are usually in mL per hour.
   • Align the arrow with your prescribed rate.
3. Open the roller clamp completely.

The medication will now start infusing at the rate you set.

During the Infusion

• Keep your IV bag above the level of your heart.
• Make sure the tubing isn’t kinked or pulled.
• Check the drip chamber to ensure drops are falling.
• Periodically make sure the dial is still on the correct setting.

When the Infusion is Finished

1. Close the roller clamp.
2. Turn the Dial-a-Flow dial back to “OFF.”
3. Disconnect the tubing from your catheter hub.
4. Flush your catheter with saline (and heparin if ordered).
5. Dispose of the tubing and bag in your household trash unless otherwise instructed.

Watch For Problems

Call your nurse or doctor right away if you notice:

• Redness, swelling, or pain at your catheter site
• Leaks around your catheter
• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Fluid stops dripping unexpectedly (may indicate a blockage)

Helpful Tips

• Keep your IV site dry and secure.
• Don’t change the flow setting without instruction.
• Use a daily log to track when you start and finish each infusion.