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Today’s rapidly expanding hydration and “detox” spas are coming under scrutiny for safety concerns. The spas typically offer vitamin- and fluid-based IV infusions claiming to boost wellness almost completely without evidence. However, most of the hydration spas lack state regulations and operate with little or no medical oversight, according to a recent article in JAMA Internal Medicine. There are about 9,000 such spas in the United States, and researchers found only Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Vermont have comprehensively regulated their operations (in terms of governance, prescriber credentials, dispensing practices, and compounding practices), although 32 states have at least some form of guidance. Additionally, the spas tend to advertise unsubstantiated claims. A secret shopper study of 87 randomly selected facilities found: 86.2% recommended specific therapies for headache and cold symptoms; 27.6% of spas required consultation with a licensed medical professional before treatment; and only 24.4% described potential risks of their services. Authors believe more stringent oversight of IV hydration spas may be necessary to protect public health because state-level policies vary widely.
Clinical justification: Alan Ayers, MBA, MAcc, President of Urgent Care Consultants and Senior Editor of JUCM, urges urgent care centers to focus on medically necessary, evidence-based infusions—such as rehydration or prescribed therapies—rather than vanity or off-label treatments like vitamin drips. The trendy infusions often carry low profit margins, safety risks, and legal liabilities, diverting resources from core medical care. Urgent care operators are advised to prioritize reimbursable, clinically justified services that align with their mission of treating legitimate illness and injury, Ayers says. Read more from the JUCM archive: Which IV Infusion Services Are Most Appropriate For Urgent Care?