I&O's

[heaverboo]

I feel as if I have trouble calculating daily I&O's. It's hard to keep up with, espeically when dietary comes and picks up trays shortly after handing them out! I try but find it difficult. Or when family brings the patient in beverages from outside the hospital? What are some suggestions or what do you do to help keep track of your patients intake? I feel as if this is important, especially when one has a low urine output, cardiac history or some kind of kidney problems.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I find that educating the patient and their family members really helps. I let them know that we are measuring everything, so please let me know if they give the person something to drink, and don't empty the hat in the toilet. Either write the amount before dumping, or wait for a staff member to empty it. Most people go along with this and have no problem once it has been explained.

[RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

i totaly agree, pt teaching and education is key. i havnt run across a pt yet that has a problem. we have a new thing at our hosp that they can order room service whenever they want, 0600- 1900, and they could order out and family and friends can bring in- so it gets hard!

-H-RN