Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Medical Doctor (MD)

Department

Medicine

First Advisor

Howard P. Forman

Abstract

Over the past decade, the number of IV hydration spas in the United States has grown. These facilities offer IV infusions of hydration solutions and other supplements but are exempted from most routine FDA oversight as compounding pharmacies. Instead, state governments are predominantly responsible for regulation and oversight. Descriptive data was collected on state-level policies governing IV hydration spas and through website review and secret shopper calls performed for facilities in each state and DC. While 31 states have issued some form of IV spa guidance, policies varied widely and only 4 state policies addressed governance, prescriber credentials, dispensing practices, and compounding practices. Review of 255 facility websites found spa practices also varied widely with respect to product offerings, product claims, and staffing, findings corroborated through secret shopper study of 87 of these sites, with 27.6% requiring consultation with a licensed medical professional prior to treatment and 86.2% recommending specific therapies in response to proffered symptoms. State-level policies governing IV hydration spas and their practices vary widely, suggesting more stringent oversight may be necessary to protect consumer health.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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