Maintenance fluid therapy in a tertiary hospital: A prevalence study

To assess the types of maintenance fluids used in our hospital, comparing their volume and composition to the standards recommended by the guidelines.

Observational, cross-sectional study. Volume and type of fluid therapy administered during 24h to patients admitted to various hospital departments were recorded. Patients receiving fluid therapy because of water-electrolyte imbalance were excluded.

Out of 198 patients registered, 74 (37.4%) were excluded because they did not meet the criteria for inclusion. Mean administered volume was 2,500cc/day. Mean daily glucose dose was 36g per 24h (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, 173mEq (SD: 74.8) and 168mEq (SD: 75), representing a surplus daily dose of +87.4mEq and +85mEq. Potassium, magnesium and calcium daily deficit was, respectively, -50mEq, -22mEq and -21mEq 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.

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.