Fluid Stewardship is the overarching term used to describe everything to do with effective management of parenteral fluids; from procurement and storage, prescribing and administration, to education and audit.

A Fluid Stewardship Committee was established in September 2019 with stakeholders from all staff groups that manage and prescribe fluids. The group meets monthly and has developed a number of training materials to help Trust staff use fluids safely and effectively. This page is where the most up to date guidance can be found.

An overview of Fluid Stewardship can be seen in this short, informative film.

Further films show key points for prescribing: Fluid resuscitation, maintenance fluids, replacement and redistribution, and can be viewed below:

Fluid resuscitation

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Routine maintenance fluids

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Fluid replacement and redistribution

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Understanding Fluid Balance

Prescribing Fluids


The prescribing guidance in these films mirrors NICE Clinical Guideline 174 Intravenous fluid therapy in adults in hospital.

News

From 30 November 2020, the Trust has introduced Maintelyte™ as the routine maintenance fluid of choice. This replaces Sodium Chloride 0.18% with Glucose 4% and Potassium Chloride 0.15%. Maintelyte™ is an easier prescription to write and get right.

The previous formulation will still be available on request through a pharmacist, and if potassium replacement is not required Sodium Chloride 0.18% with Glucose 4% will also be available on request. The Trust’s prescription chart and other related stationery will be updated to reflect this change shortly.

For more information contact:

Justin.Roberts@elht.nhs.uk - Critical Care Consultant

Alistair.Gray@elht.nhs.uk - Clinical Services Lead Pharmacist

Jane.Dean@elht.nhs.uk - Consultant Nurse, Acute Care Team Lead