Knowledge and practice towards intravenous fluid therapy in children among nurses in the pediatrics emergency department of selected public hospitals.

Morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients can be increased due to errors that are caused by inadequate knowledge and unsatisfactory practice of intravenous (IV) fluid therapy among healthcare workers. The knowledge and practice of nurses are very critical to IV fluid therapy because they are the cornerstone of a subject. This study assessed nurse's knowledge and practice of IV fluid therapy. A cross-sectional study design was employed at four selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 112 nurses using a structured questionnaire for knowledge and using an observational checklist for practice. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 computer programs. Most respondents (67%) were males; the mean age of respondents was 31.2 ± 4.3. Among participated nurses, 42% (95% CI 32.8, 51.2) and 56.3% (95% CI 47.1, 65.6) had inadequate knowledge and satisfactory practice regarding IV fluid therapy in children, respectively. A significant association was observed between nurses' intravenous fluid therapy knowledge and in-service training that nurses who had training on fluid therapy in children had 4 times adequate knowledge than those who had no training (P = 0.01), an educational qualification that master degree holders had 4.8 times adequate knowledge than first-degree holders (P = 0.04) and training institution that nurse who had taken training in governmental teaching institution had 4 times adequate knowledge than who had taken training in private teaching institution (P = 0.011). No statistically significant association was found between practice level and independent variables regarding IV fluid therapy. Nurses' knowledge of IV fluid therapy was inadequate and practice was relatively satisfactory. Continuous education and training of nurses on IV fluid therapy should be conducted regularly to improve their knowledge and practice. Further research should be employed involving other hospitals and focusing on risk factors for knowledge and practice inadequacy that are not discussed in this study.

Nurses Can Resuscitate.

Fluid resuscitation in the first 48 hours postburn is crucial in the management of burn shock. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate nurses' adherence to a nurse-driven fluid resuscitation protocol at one adult burn center. Their secondary goal was to establish that the use of a nursing-driven protocol did not result in over resuscitation. Following implementation of a nurse-driven burn resuscitation protocol, a 48-hour data resuscitation data collection tool was developed by the burn physicians and nurses. All resuscitations were reviewed in real-time and in burn leadership meeting to identify opportunities for improvement. Follow-up with nursing staff was done in real time by the clinical nurse specialist following each burn resuscitation. Twenty-two patients requiring formal fluid resuscitation were included in the review. Patients had a median age of 36.5(IQR: 38.74) years and were predominantly male. They found that in the first 24 hours that patients received 3.47 ml/kg/hr and then in the next 24 hours they received an average of 2.68 ml/kg/hr. All 22 patients' resuscitation was initiated using the Parkland formula in the emergency department, and nurses were successful in consistently adjusting fluid infusions consistent with the protocol. Using a multidisciplinary approach and preparatory and real-time education processes, burn nurses can successfully guide burn resuscitation. Providing education and follow-up in real time can improve the process.

Avaliação e medidas de prevenção e tratamento da xerose cutânea em idosos: uma revisão integrativa / Evaluation and measures for prevention and treatment of skin xerosis in elderly: an integrating review / Evaluación y medidas de prevención y tratamiento de la xerosis cutánea en idosos: una revisión integrativa

Objetivo: Analisar a produção científica em enfermagem acerca dos cuidados para a avaliação, prevenção e tratamento da xerose cutânea em idosos. Método: Revisão integrativa realizada nas bases Literatura LatinoAmericana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Biblioteca Virtual Scientific Eletronic Library Online, PubMed Central e Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, no período de agosto a dezembro de 2017. Resultados: Foram analisados 14 artigos dos quais emergiram três categorias: A hidratação oral e tópica para o cuidado do idoso com xerose cutânea; A utilização de instrumentos e o cuidado a xerose relacionada aos pés; e por fim Medidas de higiene e processos de escolha/indicação de produtos. Conclusão: Os cuidados de enfermagem devem estar voltados à educação para o autocuidado com ênfase na hidratação dos pés bem como na indicação e orientação acerca do uso de produtos com a finalidade de minimizar as complicações oriundas da xerose

Objective: To analyze the scientific production in nursing about the care for the evaluation, prevention and treatment of cutaneous xerosis in the elderly. Method: Integrative review carried out in the Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences, Virtual Electronic Library Online, PubMed Central and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, from August to December 2017. Results: Analyzed 14 articles from which emerged three categories: Oral and topical hydration for the care of the elderly with cutaneous xerosis; The use of instruments and care for xerosis related to the feet; and finally Hygiene measures and product selection / indication processes. Conclusion: Nursing care should focus on education for self-care, with emphasis on hydration of the feet as well as indication and orientation about the use of products in order to minimize complications from xerosis

Objetivo: Analizar la producción científica en enfermería acerca de los cuidados para la evaluación, prevención y tratamiento de la xerosis cutánea en ancianos. Método: Revisión integrativa realizada en las bases Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud, Biblioteca Virtual Scientific Eletronic Library Online, PubMed Central y Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, en el período de agosto a diciembre de 2017. Resultados: Fueron se analizaron 14 artículos de los cuales surgieron tres categorías: La hidratación oral y tópica para el cuidado del anciano con xerosis cutánea; La utilización de instrumentos y el cuidado de la xerosis relacionada a los pies; y por último Medidas de higiene y procesos de elección / indicación de productos. Conclusión: Los cuidados de enfermería deben estar orientados a la educación para el autocuidado con énfasis en la hidratación de los pies así como en la indicación y orientación acerca del uso de productos con la finalidad de minimizar las complicaciones oriundas de la xerosis

Intraoperative Irrigation: Fluid Administration and Management Amidst Conflicting Evidence.

Surgeons use irrigation during open cavity procedures to improve their view of the patient's anatomy and to reduce the patient's risk of infection. However, there are no standard guidelines that recommend a specific type of fluid, additive, or volume of irrigation to use during open procedures. Intraoperative hypothermia can occur if irrigation fluids have not been warmed or have cooled before use, causing adverse patient outcomes. In addition, failing to manage (eg, measure and document) fluid volume accurately may affect clinical decision making and cause other complications. Perioperative personnel should evaluate new technologies that may improve the efficiency and accuracy of irrigation temperature and volume measurements. More research is needed to develop standardized practice guidelines for intraoperative irrigation and fluid management.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of questionnaire for knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions in Italian nurses with regard to provision of artificial nutrition and hydration to patients terminally ill with cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Decision-making on artificial nutrition and hydration for patients terminally ill with cancer can be influenced by nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. A comprehensive 57-item questionnaire including six sections on the knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions in providing artificial nutrition and hydration to patients terminally ill with cancer has been developed and used in Taiwan. However, the questionnaire needs further psychometric testing and adaptation for other cultures. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the questionnaire within the Italian cultural context and test its psychometric properties. METHODS: The questionnaire was translated into Italian and cross-culturally adapted per the recommendations by Beaton. A panel of 10 experts assessed content validity. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted with 411 nurses to test its psychometric properties. Dimensionality and construct validity were assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Reliability was estimated by composite ω and traditional methods, such as the Kuder Richardson formula-20 and Cronbach's α coefficients. RESULTS: The overall content validity index was 0.85. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for the knowledge section and the four attitudes sections. A preliminary analysis for the behavioral intentions section yielded non acceptable results. The internal consistency of the scales was adequate (range, 0.64-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: This study constituted a notable advancement in the psychometric testing of the tool, and provides evidence that the Italian version of the questionnaire has acceptable psychometric characteristics for the sections on knowledge and attitudes.

Consensus must be found on intravenous fluid therapy management in trauma patients

Introduction: Trauma is an important cause of death among young people and 30-40% of this mortality rate is due to hypovolemic shock, intensified by trauma's lethal triad: Hypothermia, Acidosis, and Coagulopathy. Nurses are responsible for managing fluid therapy administration in trauma victims. The purpose of this study is to analyse the reasons why intravenous fluid therapy is recommended for trauma patients' hemodynamic stabilization. Methods: This narrative literature review included published and unpublished studies in English, Spanish or Portuguese between 1994 and January 2019. The search results were analyzed by two independent reviewers. Inclusion criteria encompasses quantitative studies involving trauma victims aged over 18 who underwent fluid therapy in a prehospital assessment context. Results and Discussion: 11 quantitative studies were included. 9 involved the use of fluid therapy for hypotension treatment and 2 of the studies analyzed involved the use of warmed fluid therapy for hypothermia treatment. The analysis performed reveals that the administration of aggressive fluid therapy seems to be responsible for the worsening of the lethal triad. In the presence of traumatic brain injury, permissive hypotension is not allowed due to the negative impact on cerebral perfusion pressure. Used as warming measure, warmed fluid therapy does not seem to have a significant impact on body temperature. Conclusions: There is no consensus regarding the administration of fluid therapy to trauma patients. This conclusion clearly supports the need to develop more randomized controlled trials in order to understand the effectiveness of such measure when it comes to control hypovolemia and hypothermia

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Efficacy of Rapid Fluid Administration Using Various Setups and Devices.

OBJECTIVES: In clinical practice, there are various methods that can be used for the rapid administration of fluid in infants and children. The current study prospectively evaluates gravity, pressure-assisted, and hand-pump methods for the rapid administration of fluid using an in vitro model. METHODS: Thirty participants were asked to deliver 500 mL of fluid using 1 of 6 setups: (1) standard blood tubing with gravity administration, (2) standard blood tubing with pressure bag maintained at 300 mm Hg, (3) standard blood tubing with pressure bag inflated to 300 mm Hg and left to flow, (4) blood tubing with in-line bulb pump, (5) blood tubing with in-line bulb pump and pressure bag, and (6) standard blood tubing with 20-mL syringe attached to the stopcock for a push-and-pull technique using a 20-mL syringe. RESULTS: The blood tubing with an in-line bulb pump to allow manual acceleration of the administration of fluid along with a pressure bag on the intravenous fluid bag achieved the fastest flow rate, requiring an average of 98 seconds to deliver 500 mL of fluid. CONCLUSIONS: When considering factors that affect fluid administration, Poiseuille's law dictates that the most important variable is the radius of the intravenous cannula, whereas the length of the cannula and the viscosity of the fluid administered are of secondary importance. With these limitations in mind, other factors may be used to speed fluid administration. Our study demonstrates the advantage of using blood tubing with the in-line bulb pump combined with a pressure bag.

Nurses' Indications for Administration of Perioperative Intravenous Fluid Therapy-A Prospective, Descriptive, Single-Center Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To examine whether nurse anesthetists and postanesthesia nurses' administration of intravenous (IV) fluid therapy during surgery and in the postanesthesia care unit is based on evidence. Secondarily to investigate if providing indications for IV fluid administration changed nursing practice. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive, single-center study in Scandinavia comparing two cohorts. METHODS: Descriptive, fluid volume, and type data were obtained in both cohorts. Cohort 1 (n = 126) was used as baseline data. In cohort 2 (n = 130), nurses recorded indications for type and volume of fluid therapy using a validated list. Analysis compared median volumes of crystalloid or colloid fluids of surgical types by cohort. Analysis compared frequency of given indication reasons for each IV fluid by surgical type. FINDINGS: Basic static variables were chosen most frequently for indications of IV fluid needed for all surgeries except high-risk abdominal surgery where dynamic variables were more frequent. Signs and symptoms of inadequate tissue perfusion were only sparsely indicated. The volume of intraoperative crystalloid fluids was statistically different for patients with hip fracture surgery in cohort 2. Volumes of both colloid and crystalloid fluids were significantly higher for high-risk abdominal surgery in cohort 2. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse anesthetists and nurses in the postanesthesia care unit rely more on basic static parameters than signs of inadequate tissue perfusion when they make decisions about fluid administration. The indications cited for fluid administered to high-risk abdominal surgery and hip fracture patients did not always fit guidelines. This indicates the need of a stronger intervention to change practice to follow evidence-based clinical guidelines.

Water balance in pediatric nephrology: construction of a Standard Operating Procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) about the water balance, to be used by the health team in the care of children hospitalized in a pediatric nephrology unit. METHOD: The study was carried out in two stages: integrative review of the literature for the development of SOP and validation by specialists. The search for literature occurred in the electronic databases PUBMED, SCOPUS, LILACS, BDENF. After the bibliographic survey the construction of the SOP was performed, which was evaluated by specialists. The analysis was performed by calculating the Content Validity Index (CVI). RESULTS: nine studies were selected as results of the integrative review. The sample of specialists was composed of nine professionals. The study was evaluated in six items, five of which presented CVI = 1 and one obtained CVI = 0.77. CONCLUSION: the evaluation of specialists culminated in the validation of SOP, suggesting changes that were accepted and discussed with the literature.

Manejo del reservorio venoso subcutáneo por las enfermeras / Subcutaneous venous reservoir management by nursing staff

Introducción: Los reservorios venosos subcutáneos (RVS) son una alternativa útil durante el tratamiento prolongado o crónico que requiere acceso vascular. Debido a los múltiples movimientos de personal en los hospitales, hemos advertido que las enfermeras de nueva incorporación y sustitutas de verano tienen dificultad en el manejo de los reservorios, ya que muchas no lo han utilizado anteriormente o coexisten diferentes protocolos. Objetivo: Mejorar el conocimiento y difusión de esta vía de abordaje del sistema venoso central para facilitar el manejo del RVS a las enfermeras; unificar los criterios del manejo del RVS; aprender a resolver los problemas que puedan surgir en el manejo del reservorio, así como aprender la colocación y retirada correctas de los bombas de infusión elastomérica (bombas de perfusión continua con quimioterapia). Material: Se creó un grupo de trabajo de enfermeras con experiencia. Se hizo una revisión detallada de la literatura para resumir la evidencia científica relevante. El grupo identificó los aspectos más relevantes del manejo de RVS y se unificaron criterios. Para finalizar, se propuso y elaboró una guía de actuación. Resultados: Realización de una guía del manejo del RVS para unificar criterios y ayudar en su manejo. Conclusiones: Una guía estandarizada sobre el manejo de RVS aumenta los conocimientos suficientes sobre la técnica de punción y sellado del reservorio subcutáneo, aumenta la calidad y la seguridad de los enfermeros a la hora de manejar estos dispositivos y disminuye la variabilidad en la práctica clínica, con el consecuente aumento de seguridad y disminución de la ansiedad por parte del paciente

Introduction: Subcutaneous venous reservoirs (SVR) is a useful alternative to chronic or long-term venous access. It has been observed that newly incorporated nurses and summer-time substitutes confront higher difficulties in SVR management due to: frequent changes in hospital staff, lack of previous knowledge and/or coexistence of different protocols. Developing a common protocol could help to reduce possible complications related to SVR management. Objetives: To improve knowledge and information dissemination on SVR with the aim of easing SVR management for nursing staff; to unify the SVR management criteria providing resources to solve most frequent complications and problems derived from it; and to learn about proper application and removal of elastomeric infusion pumps (continuous perfusion pumps for chemotherapy). Methods: A task force conformed by experienced nurses was established, which conducted a detailed literature review to summarize all available relevant evidence. The most salient aspects on SVR management were identified, unifying criteria through agreement by all task force members. During the last stage of the assessment, a clinical practice guideline was proposed. Results: A guideline based on unified criteria for SVR management was developed. Conclusion: A standardized guideline for SVR management increases knowledge on puncture technique and sealing procedures, improving nursing staff quality and security while handling these devices. A reduction in clinical practice variability improves safety and diminishes patients’ anxiety

Water balance in pediatric nephrology: construction of a Standard Operating Procedure / Balance hídrico en la nefrología pediátrica: construcción de un Procedimiento Operativo Estándar / Balanço hídrico na nefrologia pediátrica: construção de um Procedimento Operacional Padrão

ABSTRACT Objective: To construct a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) about the water balance, to be used by the health team in the care of children hospitalized in a pediatric nephrology unit. Method: The study was carried out in two stages: integrative review of the literature for the development of SOP and validation by specialists. The search for literature occurred in the electronic databases PUBMED, SCOPUS, LILACS, BDENF. After the bibliographic survey the construction of the SOP was performed, which was evaluated by specialists. The analysis was performed by calculating the Content Validity Index (CVI). Results: nine studies were selected as results of the integrative review. The sample of specialists was composed of nine professionals. The study was evaluated in six items, five of which presented CVI = 1 and one obtained CVI = 0.77. Conclusion: the evaluation of specialists culminated in the validation of SOP, suggesting changes that were accepted and discussed with the literature.

RESUMEN Objetivo: construir un Procedimiento Operativo Estándar (POE) sobre el balance hídrico, para ser utilizado por el equipo de salud en el cuidado al niño internado en una unidad de nefrología pediátrica. Método: el estudio fue realizado en dos etapas: revisión integradora de la literatura para la elaboración del POE y validación por especialistas. La búsqueda de la literatura ocurrió en las bases de datos electrónicos: PUBMED, SCOPUS, LILACS, BDENF. Después del levantamiento bibliográfico se dio la construcción del POE que fue evaluado por especialistas. El análisis fue realizado por medio del cálculo del Índice de Validez de Contenido (CVI). Resultados: como resultados de la revisión integradora fueron seleccionados nueve estudios. La muestra de los especialistas fue compuesta por nueve profesionales. El estudio fue evaluado en seis ítems, de los cuales cinco presentaron CVI=1 y uno obtuvo CVI=0,77. Conclusión: la evaluación de los especialistas culminó en la validación del POE, siendo sugeridas alteraciones que fueron acatadas y discutidas con la literatura.

RESUMO Objetivo: construir um Procedimento Operacional Padrão (POP) acerca do balanço hídrico, para ser utilizado pela equipe de saúde no cuidado à criança internada em uma unidade de nefrologia pediátrica. Método: o estudo foi realizado em duas etapas: revisão integrativa da literatura para elaboração do POP e validação por especialistas. A busca da literatura ocorreu nas bases de dados eletrônicas: PUBMED, SCOPUS, LILACS, BDENF. Após o levantamento bibliográfico deu-se a construção do POP que foi avaliado por especialistas. A análise foi realizada por meio do cálculo do Índice de Validade de Conteúdo (CVI). Resultados: como resultados da revisão integrativa foram selecionados nove estudos. A amostra dos especialistas foi composta por nove profissionais. O estudo foi avaliado em seis itens, os quais cinco apresentaram CVI=1 e um obteve CVI=0,77. Conclusão: a avaliação dos especialistas culminou na validação do POP, sendo sugeridas alterações que foram acatadas e discutidas com a literatura.

Artificial Nutrition and Hydration in People With Late-Stage Dementia.

The progressive nature of dementia marks this disease as a terminal illness in the advanced stage, and palliative care rather than curative treatment is indicated. The use of feeding tubes to deliver artificial nutrition and hydration at end of life is often part of the plan of care for people with dementia. Current evidence, however, suggests that tube feeding in advanced dementia is not beneficial and the burdens of the procedure and the feedings themselves outweigh any benefits. Evidence also reveals that healthcare providers may lack evidence-based knowledge about artificial nutrition and hydration to adequately inform families and surrogate decision makers. This article examines the evidence regarding use of artificial nutrition and hydration for patients with end-stage dementia and offers implications for home care clinicians.

Effectiveness of nurse-initiated interventions on patient outcomes in the emergency department: a systematic review protocol.

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE: The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-initiated interventions (NIIs) on patient outcomes in the emergency department (ED).More specifically, the objectives are to identify the effectiveness of NIIs, including but not limited to, nurse-initiated medications, nurse-initiated intravenous fluid therapy and nurse-initiated pathology on patient waiting time, time to treatment, length of stay, pain levels, symptom relief, patient satisfaction, leave without being seen rates and mortality rates in ED settings.

Implementation of clinical decision support in young children with acute gastroenteritis: a randomized controlled trial at the emergency department.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is one of the most frequent reasons for young children to visit emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to evaluate (1) feasibility of a nurse-guided clinical decision support system for rehydration treatment in children with AGE and (2) the impact on diagnostics, treatment, and costs compared with usual care by attending physician. A randomized controlled trial was performed in 222 children, aged 1 month to 5 years at the ED of the Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's hospital in The Netherlands ( 2010-2012). Outcome included (1) feasibility, measured by compliance of the nurses, and (2) length of stay (LOS) at the ED, the number of diagnostic tests, treatment, follow-up, and costs. Due to failure of post-ED weight measurement, we could not evaluate weight difference as measure for dehydration. Patient characteristics were comparable between the intervention (N = 113) and the usual care group (N = 109). Implementation of the clinical decision support system proved a high compliance rate. The standardized use of oral ORS (oral rehydration solution) significantly increased from 52 to 65%(RR2.2, 95%CI 1.09-4.31 p < 0.05). We observed no differences in other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Implementation of nurse-guided clinical decision support system on rehydration treatment in children with AGE showed high compliance and increase standardized use of ORS, without differences in other outcome measures. What is Known: • Acute gastroenteritis is one of the most frequently encountered problems in pediatric emergency departments. • Guidelines advocate standardized oral treatment in children with mild to moderate dehydration, but appear to be applied infrequently in clinical practice. What is New: • Implementation of a nurse-guided clinical decision support system on treatment of AGE in young children showed good feasibility, resulting in a more standardized ORS use in children with mild to moderate dehydration, compared to usual care. • Given the challenges to perform research in emergency care setting, the ED should be experienced and adequately equipped, especially during peak times.

Perceptions of Home Health Nurses Regarding Suffering, Artificial Nutrition, and Hydration in Late-Stage Dementia.

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of home healthcare nurses related to suffering, artificial nutrition and hydration in people with late-stage dementia, and if these perceptions influence care to people with dementia and their families. Part of a mixed-methods study, the qualitative portion examined perceptions of home healthcare nurses in a rural area in the southern United States. Seventeen home healthcare nurses participated in this study. Semistructured focus group interview questions were used. Constant comparative analysis was the method used for coding transcripts. Three themes emerged from the analysis: patient/family comfort, futility, and symbols of suffering. Although many of the nurses reported that artificial nutrition and hydration was of comfort to the patient and family because of the potential for "starving," they also felt it prolonged the patient's suffering due to the invasive procedure, need for restraints, and possibility of fluid overload. Several nurses felt that artificial nutrition and hydration gave a sense of false hope to the family that the patient would live longer. The perceptions of these home healthcare nurses influence their care to people with dementia and their families related to artificial nutrition and hydration, possibly based on experience. Their perceptions could influence family decisions regarding treatment options. Further research and education with home healthcare nurses is vital to ensure nurses are appropriately caring for patients with dementia and their families.

Urine sodium concentration to predict fluid responsiveness in oliguric ICU patients: a prospective multicenter observational study.

BACKGROUND: Oliguria is one of the leading triggers of fluid loading in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive value of urine Na(+) (uNa(+)) and other routine urine biomarkers for cardiac fluid responsiveness in oliguric ICU patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter observational study in five university ICUs. Patients with urine output (UO) <0.5 ml/kg/h for 3 consecutive hours with a mean arterial pressure >65 mmHg received a fluid challenge. Cardiac fluid responsiveness was defined by an increase in stroke volume >15 % after fluid challenge. Urine and plasma biochemistry samples were examined before fluid challenge. We examined renal fluid responsiveness (defined as UO > 0.5 ml/kg/h for 3 consecutive hours) after fluid challenge as a secondary endpoint. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients (age 51 ± 37 years, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II score 40 ± 20) were included. Most patients (72 %) were not cardiac responders (CRs), and 50 % were renal responders (RRs) to fluid challenge. Patient characteristics were similar between CRs and cardiac nonresponders. uNa(+) (37 ± 38 mmol/L vs 25 ± 75 mmol/L, p = 0.44) and fractional excretion of sodium (FENa(+)) (2.27 ± 2.5 % vs 2.15 ± 5.0 %, p = 0.94) were not statistically different between those who did and those who did not respond to the fluid challenge. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were 0.51 (95 % CI 0.35-0.68) and 0.56 (95 % CI 0.39-0.73) for uNa(+) and FENa(+), respectively. Fractional excretion of urea had an AUROC curve of 0.70 (95 % CI 0.54-0.86, p = 0.03) for CRs. Baseline UO was higher in RRs than in renal nonresponders (1.07 ± 0.78 ml/kg/3 h vs 0.65 ± 0.53 ml/kg/3 h, p = 0.01). The AUROC curve for RRs was 0.65 (95 % CI 0.53-0.78) for uNa(+). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, most oliguric patients were not CRs and half were not renal responders to fluid challenge. Routine urinary biomarkers were not predictive of fluid responsiveness in oliguric normotensive ICU patients.

Patient safety and hydration in the care of older people.

Ensuring patients are adequately hydrated is a fundamental part of nursing care, however, it is clear from the literature that dehydration remains a significant problem in the NHS with implications for patient safety. The development of dehydration is often multifactorial and older age is an independent risk factor for the condition. However, the media often blame nursing staff for simply not giving patients enough to drink. This article discusses the scale of the problem in acute care settings and aims to raise awareness of the importance of hydration management and accurate documentation in nursing practice. It suggests that intentional hourly rounding may provide an opportunity for nurses to ensure older patients are prompted or assisted to take a drink.

ESPEN guideline on ethical aspects of artificial nutrition and hydration.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide debate over the use of artificial nutrition and hydration remains controversial although the scientific and medical facts are unequivocal. Artificial nutrition and hydration are a medical intervention, requiring an indication, a therapeutic goal and the will (consent) of the competent patient. METHODS: The guideline was developed by an international multidisciplinary working group based on the main aspects of the Guideline on "Ethical and Legal Aspects of Artificial Nutrition" published 2013 by the German Society for Nutritional Medicine (DGEM) after conducting a review of specific current literature. The text was extended and introduced a broader view in particular on the impact of culture and religion. The results were discussed at the ESPEN Congress in Lisbon 2015 and accepted in an online survey among ESPEN members. RESULTS: The ESPEN Guideline on Ethical Aspects of Artificial Nutrition and Hydration is focused on the adult patient and provides a critical summary for physicians and caregivers. Special consideration is given to end of life issues and palliative medicine; to dementia and to specific situations like nursing care or the intensive care unit. The respect for autonomy is an important focus of the guideline as well as the careful wording to be used in the communication with patients and families. The other principles of Bioethics like beneficence, non-maleficence and justice are presented in the context of artificial nutrition and hydration. In this respect the withholding and withdrawing of artificial nutrition and/or hydration is discussed. Due to increasingly multicultural societies and the need for awareness of different values and beliefs an elaborated chapter is dedicated to cultural and religious issues and nutrition. Last but not least topics like voluntary refusal of nutrition and fluids, and forced feeding of competent persons (persons on hunger strike) is included in the guideline.

Challenges in Sepsis Care: New Sepsis Definitions and Fluid Resuscitation Beyond the Central Venous Pressure.

There are two important recent changes in sepsis care. The first key change is the 2016 Sepsis-3 definitions from the recent consensus workgroup with new sepsis and septic shock definitions. Useful tools for assessing patients that have a greater risk of mortality include Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) in intensive care units and quick SOFA outside intensive care units. The second change involves management of fluid resuscitation and measures of volume responsiveness. Measures such as blood pressure and central venous pressure are not reliable. Fluid challenges and responsiveness should be based on stroke volume change of greater than 10%.