Hydration/Dehydration and the Nurse

Published

Hi Fellow Nurses!

I'm working on some research on improving my unit's policy on having water bottles at the nurse's station. Currently, my unit (a VERY busy cardiac/telemetry unit) does not permit nurse's to have their water bottle at the nurse's station out at any time. Even if there is a lid on it. The SICU that I came from allowed water bottles and drinks that had lids on them to be out as long as they were on designated "drink mats." I think this worked very well as an option for nurses to hydrate themselves while not risking safety or infection.

During my shifts, I am lucky if I can stop long enough to eat my lunch, let alone stop to drink every so often! I even have a pregnant coworker who has had to go to the ED 2 times for dehydration in the last 3 months. We need to be taking care of ourselves and advocating for ourselves in a way that matches up with the best evidence. I have found several articles detailing the correlation between hydration and cognitive functioning, but I was curious to know about other nurse's unit and how you all deal with this issue. Is there no policy that prohibits water bottles to be out on your unit? Do you use something similar to the drink mat idea I mentioned earlier? Do you have any stories about feeling/being dehydrated at work due to a policy like this?

I would really appreciate your feedback and discussion! I'm interested to hear what all of my other nurse peeps out there think about this. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Mother-Baby and SCN.

We do not have a policy re: this and I would be pissed if we did! What exactly is the rationale for it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric.

We aren't supposed to have a water bottle on our medication carts. I blatantly ignore this rule. Of course, if upper management is around... The executive director walked by my med cart one day. Grabbed my bottle and chucked it wordlessly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric.
We do not have a policy re: this and I would be pissed if we did! What exactly is the rationale for it?

I'm assuming infection control of some kind? My executive director (the one who threw away my water) said it was because a disoriented patient who can't have regular liquids might walk by and drink it. And die.

Keep in mind, our medication carts have water pitchers on them...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We are not allowed to have it anywhere other than the break room. Which is why my urine looks like strong brewed iced tea and I only get my coffee in the morning.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion