Is bladder irrigation part of patient's intake record?

[nursegirl333]

I know that the amount infused for continuous bladder irrigation must be subtracted from the total emptied from the patient's catheter bag, but is the amount of irrigant infused also a part of the intake for the I&O??

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

It depends on hospital policy. Many facilities I have worked have separate I/O sheets for CBI, for total in and total out, and only the urine output gets recorded on the actual I/O sheet. I would guess that only the urine out is actually counted because it's actually a in and out process.

[nursegirl333]

ok that makes sense. Thank you!

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

For the purposes of measuring fluid intake or calculating maintenance fluids (such as in a patient with a fluid restriction), no it is not counted. Since the amount of fluid used to irrigate come right back out, it does not effect the patient's hydration. So when you're looking at your total intake to see if the patient is staying adequately hydrated, you do not count the bladder irrigation.

As Esme said, you need to follow the policy at the facility, but if you do include it in your totals, you need to make sure that fact is clearly documented. Otherwise, a physician quickly glancing through the chart will see the extra 500-1000 cc of fluid and assume it was oral/parenteral intake.

[nursegirl333]

ok i think i understand. appreciate the help!