Subcutaneous infusions in the elderly

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Fluid Management
• Patient Care

Background:

• Elderly patients often require fluid supplementation.
• Intravenous fluid administration can be uncomfortable and invasive for older adults.
• Alternative, less invasive methods are needed for fluid delivery in geriatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous infusions for fluid supplementation in elderly patients.
• To compare subcutaneous infusion with traditional intravenous methods in terms of patient tolerance and side effects.
• To determine the suitability of subcutaneous infusions for use in non-emergency geriatric settings.

Main Methods:

• 1,850 subcutaneous infusions administered to 270 elderly patients (average age 82).
• Infusions conducted in a hospital geriatric department and two nursing homes.
• Monitoring for side effects and patient acceptance of the procedure.

Main Results:

• Subcutaneous infusions were associated with few and non-serious side effects.
• Minor edema in 4 patients resolved with diuretics; one case of disseminated intravascular coagulation showed ecchymoses.
• No severe adverse events like sepsis, shock, or tissue necrosis were observed.
• The method was well-accepted by patients, causing less discomfort than intravenous infusions.
• Short infusion duration (2-4 hours) allowed patients to remain out of bed.

Conclusions:

• Subcutaneous infusion is a safe and effective method for fluid supplementation in elderly patients.
• It offers advantages over intravenous administration, including improved patient comfort and tolerance.
• This method is suitable for administration by trained nurses in institutional settings, even without resident medical staff, for non-emergency fluid management.