Maintenance fluid therapy in a tertiary hospital: A prevalence study

Abstract

Abstract Objective To assess the types of maintenance fluids used in our hospital, comparing their volume and composition to the standards recommended by the guidelines. Material and methods Observational, cross-sectional study. Volume and type of fluid therapy administered during 24 h to patients admitted to various hospital departments were recorded. Patients receiving fluid therapy because of water-electrolyte imbalance were excluded. Results Out of 198 patients registered, 74 (37.4%) were excluded because they did not meet the criteria for inclusion. Mean administered volume was 2500 cc/day. Mean daily glucose dose was 36 g per 24 h (SD: 31.4). The most frequent combination included normal saline solution (NSS) and glucose 5% (64.4%). Mean daily dose of sodium and chlorine was, respectively, 173 mEq (SD: 74.8) and 168 mEq (SD: 75), representing a surplus daily dose of +87.4 mEq and +85 mEq. Potassium, magnesium and calcium daily deficit was, respectively, −50 mEq, −22 mEq and −21 mEq per day. Buffer administration was exceptional, bicarbonate (2.29%), acetate (1.29%), lactate (1.15%) and gluconate (1.10%) being the buffering agents most frequently used. Conclusion NNS is the most frequently used solution. In contrast to excess doses of sodium and chlorine, there is a great deficit of other ions, buffering agents and caloric intake in the fluid therapy regimens that are usually prescribed.