OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of balanced and unbalanced crystalloids in adult surgical patients. METHOD: Prospective study of 65 adult emergency general surgical admissions in a UK acute district general hospital, with a further 45 patients studied following educational interventions. RESULTS: 36.4% of patients studied were prescribed inappropriate saline for resuscitation/replacement before the intervention. This compared with no inappropriate prescriptions (0%) after educational intervention (p = 0.0137). CONCLUSION: Simple multidisciplinary educational interventions can improve intravenous fluid prescription.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of balanced and unbalanced crystalloids in adult surgical patients. METHOD: Prospective study of 65 adult emergency general surgical admissions in a UK acute district general hospital, with a further 45 patients studied following educational interventions. RESULTS: 36.4% of patients studied were prescribed inappropriate saline for resuscitation/replacement before the intervention. This compared with no inappropriate prescriptions (0%) after educational intervention (p = 0.0137). CONCLUSION: Simple multidisciplinary educational interventions can improve intravenous fluid prescription.