How common is SQ hydration therapy?

[styRN]

It had been many years since I had seen it used, but one of our 'old-school' GPs (who's in his late 70's) began ordering it for hydration for palliative patients in our LTC facility within the last few months.

We set them up with an ISCI set and usually run them 1L q8-12h. I know it's really more of a comfort measure for the families, but it has become more common in the past few months with our medical director hopping on board and ordering it as well, with some regularity.

Just wondering how 'medieval' this is?

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

I am with some of these posters in knowing it for treatment of animals. When I worked at a pet store (family owned and wonderful one..heck we had a hard time actually selling the pets because we all were a bunch of moms that loved all the pets so much! LOL!) where we had a horible viral infection that hit many bunnies....we had to do a LOT of SQ hydration (much through bolus in the scruff). Some kittens and puppies too if they got dehydrated too from a cold or what not.

For humans in end of life issues...I am very leary of hydration at that point since it drastically prolongs death in most cases...however, a small amount of SQ hydration I can see being okay. (I mean it is one thing to hydrate someone IV at 75-100ml/hr vs a few ml/hr SQ...that isn't as invasive and drastic to me).

[leslie :-D]

In babies, they used the area over the scapula.

that area over the scapula is also an acceptable inj site for insulin.

i just found that out. :)

leslie

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Yep Earle! I have used that site many times for older diabetics whos sites have been used so many times! I use those so I am not using up spots they or other nurses will use (if they are in a facility).

Nothing like getting a good SQ site on the belly or back of the arm and hitting a good scar point and about bending your needle! OUCH! I find that the scapula (given enough fatty tissue) is an awesome spot and hurts less if done correctly :)!