minimum fluid needs

Specialties Geriatric

Published

We have established minimum fluid needs for all our residents. (wt. in kg x 25 0r 30cc depending on diagnosis) For those residents who weigh less than average, this formula may indicate a fluid need below 1500cc/day. Dietician believes if the formula results in less than 1500cc and there is no contraindication, it should be 1500cc. Is this standard? We have several tiny ladies, when we stated their needs at 1500, they didn't always meet their needs. Is anyone else out there establishing fluid needs and how are you doing?

Help please!

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This has been a concern for me as well. Our facility Dietitian says that 1200cc of actual fluid is adequate. As you get fluid from food as well- HCFA put out specifics-how much you should have coming from fluids/food etc.

Also if you are concerned about a patients hydration status. As I argued with a State surveyor last year on a resident who had intake of less than 900cc per day. You must consider not only lab values, skin status (turgor, mucous membranes) but disease process etc. To win over Division of Aging-you must prove that you have offered consistently fluid-document that the resident doesn't accept all fluids provided-prove you have done all you could to prevent dehydration.

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i DIDN'T HEAR ANYONE MENTION OUTPUT. DOESN,T THAT FACTOR INTO THE EQUATION????

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