Completion of Intravenous Fluids Administration Regimen by Nurses Working in Adult Medical and Surgical Wards at a County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: Intravenous fluids are administered to patients in order to correct the status of their body fluids or electrolytes. Correct and complete intravenous fluid volume administration practices are critical in prevention of complications related to intravenous fluids therapy. Study objective: To assess the completion of intravenous fluid administration regimen by nurses working in adult medical and surgical wards at a County Referral Hospital in Kenya.  Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from the 52 randomly selected nurses using self-administered semi-structured questionnaires. An observational checklist was used to collect data on completion of intravenous fluid administration regimen from the patients' fluid balance charts. Relevant approvals/ authorities to collect data were also obtained. Results: The prescribed fluid volumes were administered in only 34.2% of the patients. Conclusion: Completion of intravenous fluid administration among the patients was suboptimal.

Keywords: Intravenous fluids, Administration, Completion.