Drip
Formal Definition
A continuous intravenous infusion of a medication, delivered at a controlled rate via an infusion pump — typically used for vasoactive agents, anticoagulants, analgesics, or sedatives that require precise, titratable dosing.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Start a heparin drip" or "on a propofol drip" — any IV medication running continuously through a pump.
Example
""Post-op cardiac surgery day 1: on an insulin drip targeting glucose 140–180, a propofol drip for sedation, and norepinephrine drip for MAP support. Three concurrent drips — all titratable, all requiring hourly nursing reassessment.""
Clinical Context
Drips require dedicated IV access, pump programming, and frequent reassessment — they are nursing-intensive. Common ICU drips: vasopressors (norepi, vasopressin, phenylephrine), sedation (propofol, dexmedetomidine, midazolam), analgesia (fentanyl, morphine, hydromorphone), insulin, heparin, amiodarone. Understand the drug's kinetics before ordering: propofol has a fast offset (good for daily wake-ups), midazolam accumulates (avoid for prolonged sedation).