In November 1991, an intravenous therapy team was instituted on the medical/surgical wards of a 330-bed acute care Veteran's Affairs Medical Center. Before this, IV insertions/care were performed by house officers and registered nurses. Intravenous-related bacteremias decreased from 4.6/1000 patient discharges to 1.5/1000 patient discharges (P < 0.005) after institution of the IV team. There was no significant difference in the IV-related bacteremia rate in critical care areas where housestaff and nurses continued to care for lines (7.9 versus 6.2 per 1000 patient discharges). The expertise of an IV therapy team is effective in decreasing morbidity and mortality related to IV insertions. The authors estimated a savings of $124,906 when considering reduction of bacteremias.