Rehydration methods in gastroenteritis—changing culture and maintaining change. (29th September 2015) - Fox, J
Abstract : Background: Despite evidence supporting the use of nasogastric fluid rehydration in gastroenteritis, repeat audits in our unit from 1999 to 2002 demonstrated that the intravenous rehydration (IVR) rate was 15–20%. From 2002, nursing and medical staff attended regular teaching sessions including workshops to promote the clinical guidelines. An audit in 2003 demonstrated a reduction of IVR use to 4% and an increase in nasogastric rehydration (NGR) use from 0% to 39%. Aims: To establish in 2009, whether the reduction in IVR in 2003 was maintained in the absence of further targeted education. Methods: A retrospective audit of a random selection of notes from over one year of children below 5 years of age with gastroenteritis to examine their clinical hydration state and method of rehydration. Results: Conclusion: The percentage of clinically dehydrated patients remained similar between 2002 and 2009. The reduction in IVR from 1999 to 2003 has been maintained in 2009 without continued targeted education.