Intravenous fluid prescribing: Improving prescribing practices and documentation in line with NICE CG174 guidance

Intravenous (IV) fluid prescribing is a common occurrence in inpatient settings; it has been repeatedly demonstrated that high levels of mortality and morbidity are associated with inappropriate IV fluid prescribing. IV fluid prescriptions are often completed by the most junior and inexperienced members of the clinical team. In recognition of the issues surrounding IV fluid prescribing and in an effort to combat the issues surrounding current practice, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance in December 2013 - ‘Intravenous fluid therapy in adults in hospital (CG174)’. At our hospital the approach to IV fluid prescribing amongst junior doctors was highly variable with poor awareness of the NICE guidance. We defined necessary components for the documentation of IV fluid prescriptions based upon the NICE guidance. Our initial data showed that these components were infrequently documented, with prescriptions often having no indication for IV fluid, no 24 hour plan / review, no documentation of patient weight or request for further weights, and no current or requested fluid balance charts. Lanyard cards emphasising the necessary components of an appropriate IV fluid prescription along with a copy of the NICE fluid prescribing algorithm were distributed to junior doctors on the acute admissions units. Following the introduction of the lanyard cards there was a significant increase in the documentation of the defined prescription components. Significant increases in the documentation of indication for IV fluid and patient weight, which are essential components of accurate fluid prescription, were demonstrated on both medical and surgical admissions units. Subsequently, as a result of improved documentation and consideration given to fluid prescriptions, we were able to increase the percentage of maintenance IV fluid prescriptions that conformed to NICE guidelines. As an endpoint to this intervention all new Foundation Year 1 doctors at our hospital were issued with IV fluid prescribing lanyard cards at Trust induction; the authors believe that this intervention will lead to a unified approach and a sustained improvement in IV fluid prescribing practices and prescription documentation at this hospital site.