Use of a two-bag fluid administration protocol in the treatment of paediatric diabetic ketoacidosis: A retrospective review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives The ‘two-bag method’ for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) uses two intravenous fluid bags, only one of which contains 10% dextrose. The bags are run concurrently with rates adjusted according to a rate change table to allow the relative amount of dextrose administered to be adjusted over time, without the need for bag replacements. The Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (CHLHSC) two-bag protocol is a simplified version of that used by other centres. The objective of this study was to ensure implementation of the CHLHSC two-bag protocol continues to provide safe and effective treatment of paediatric DKA and decreases resource utilization. Methods This retrospective chart review compared treatment pre- and post-protocol implementation. Results A total of 22 admissions were included. No significant differences in efficacy or safety outcomes were found between the protocol groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two and one-bag protocols in time to normalization of serum bicarbonate (13.80 ± 7.68 versus 15.01 ± 7.53 h, P = 0.714), blood glucose correction (8.75 ± 4.86 versus 11.85 ± 4.92 h, P = 0.152), and critical care unit length of stay (24.26 ± 9.94 versus 32.30 ± 13.36, P = 0.399). The nursing staff appeared to appropriately implement the rate change table, but the chart documentation was poor. Conclusions The CHLHSC simplified two-bag protocol provides a safe and effective alternative to the one-bag protocol for DKA correction in paediatric patients and may also result in decreased resource utilization.