The Medical and Surgical Outcome Review Programme (NCEPOD) has published A Balanced Solution, a review of the quality of the care in hospital provided to adults with abnormal levels of blood sodium.
Care and outcomes can be improved through timely and appropriate identification and investigation, consistent recording, and effective communication
This report states that it is important that the results of blood sodium measurements are entered into the patient’s record, and that the same method is used when monitoring blood sodium levels so sequential results are comparable. Thorough assessment and monitoring of patients’ fluid status is not easy, but is important to help guide both diagnosis and treatment. Accurate fluid balance records should be kept and reviewed regularly. The use of a care bundle, which is easily deliverable in different systems, could help ensure that appropriate ancillary tests are carried out in a timely manner.
Specifically, this report contains a number of insights to support improvement in care:
- Develop care bundles and training to reduce variation in the assessment and management of abnormal blood sodium levels
- Improve the clinical assessment of fluid status in all patients
- Integrate test results into patient electronic records to help identify trends in blood sodium levels
- Standardise the use and the dosing of hypertonic saline solution
- Document and communicate all medication changes to all healthcare providers and patients.
It also includes five recommendations for improvement.
Read the full report: You can view the report by clicking the button below.
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