Hospice specialists are worried that the use of intravenous fluids sends mixed signals to family members about the role of medical intervention at this stage of a patient's illness. At this critical moment, a drip may create a physical barrier between a patient and their loved one. It can also be difficult or impossible to wean someone off of IVs once they start. Hospice care focuses on alleviating pain and other symptoms for both the patient and their family. Because of this focus, it tends to use less invasive treatments than other types of medicine. For example, instead of putting you through multiple tests or surgeries to find out what is wrong with you, hospice professionals will usually try some different treatments before they decide what to do next. This may include medications, exercises, or alternative methods such as acupuncture or massage therapy. Because hospice focuses on treatment options that are least likely to cause harm, it often uses fewer interventions more effectively. For example, research has shown that giving patients antibiotics when they don't need them can lead to development of resistance against these drugs. This becomes a problem when there is no other option available for treating infections because these resistant strains are harder to kill. Intravenous fluids are used by hospitals to replace lost fluids after surgery or other injuries/illnesses that require them to be replaced quickly.