An audit of intravenous fluid prescribing and plasma electrolyte monitoring; a comparison with guidelines from the National Patient Safety Agency.

Objectives: To audit past practice of intravenous (i.v.) fluid prescribing and electrolyte monitoring, prior to the publication of guidelines by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA, Ref. NPSA/2007/22) in March 2007, highlighting areas of discrepancy, in a specialist children's hospital.

Methods: We performed a retrospective case note review of 100 appendectomy patients between February 2004 and March 2007, recording; fluid type and volumes given as maintenance therapy, resuscitation boluses and nasogastric replacement; the frequency and timing of plasma electrolyte measurement; the relationship between plasma sodium [Na] concentration and i.v. fluid prescribed; and patient weight recordings.

Results: Ninety-eight acute appendectomies and two interval elective appendectomies. Median age 10 years (interquartile range: 8-11.25). Before surgery, hypotonic maintenance fluid was prescribed for 94% patients. During surgery, maintenance fluid was predominantly isotonic. After surgery, hypotonic maintenance fluid was prescribed for 92% patients. All maintenance fluid volumes were appropriately calculated according to weight using the Holliday and Segar formula (Paediatrics, 19, 1957, 823). Fluid boluses were isotonic on 128/129 occasions and all accurately calculated according to weight. Nasogastric losses were replaced with 0.9% sodium chloride. No patient had daily plasma electrolyte measurements whilst administered i.v. fluid. Twenty-seven patients had recorded hyponatremia ([Na] <135 mmol x l(-1); 21 at presentation, six subsequently after admission). Hypotonic maintenance fluid was continued in 26/27 patients with hyponatremia. No patient had daily weight recorded.

Conclusions: Our practice of i.v. fluid prescribing and electrolyte monitoring in children, prior to the publication of guidelines by the NPSA in March 2007, did not fully meet the recommended standards.