Hydration Stickers - Improving oral hydration in vulnerable patients

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Healthcare Improvement

Background:

• Dehydration is a significant and growing issue for elderly inpatients.
• Existing hydration management schemes may be insufficient, as highlighted by reports like the Francis Report.
• Barriers to effective oral hydration in hospitals include staff time pressures and unclear responsibilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers faced by healthcare staff in improving oral hydration for elderly patients.
• To design and implement an effective intervention to address these barriers and improve hydration.
• To evaluate the impact of the intervention on hydration assessment and care.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 33 patients was conducted at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Trust.
• A 'Hydration Sticker' education scheme was developed as a visual prompt for staff and family.
• The scheme was implemented on an Acute Assessment Unit and Stroke ward, supported by a poster campaign.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of admitted elderly patients were found to be dehydrated.
• The Hydration Sticker scheme led to a 6.5-fold increase in the assessment and addressing of patients' hydration needs.
• The intervention demonstrated low implementation costs and ease of use.

Conclusions:

• The Hydration Sticker scheme is a potentially simple, effective, transferable, and sustainable solution for combating dehydration in elderly inpatients.
• Addressing staff-identified barriers like time pressure and responsibility is crucial for successful hydration management.
• Visual prompts can play a key role in improving patient care and outcomes in hospital settings.