Subcutaneous fluid infusion in a long-term care setting.

OBJECTIVE

To study the use of hypodermoclysis in a long-term care setting for chronic fluid supplementation and to compare it to intravenous (IV) fluid in the treatment of acute mild to moderate dehydration.

DESIGN

A prospective observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-five residents of a long-term care facility treated with fluid therapy during a 5-week period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Efficacy of hydration and adverse effects were obtained from detailed chart review, interviews with healthcare providers, and investigators' observations.

RESULTS

The study subjects were frail older people. Hypodermoclysis was used for maintenance fluid needs in 24 residents; none of these residents required any additional fluid therapy for dehydration. In addition, 37 residents received fluids for acute dehydration. In these residents, hypodermoclysis was associated with clinical improvement in 57% and no clinical change in 25%. Recipients of IV fluids improved 81% of the time and the remainder were unchanged. Hypodermoclysis was associated with fewer fluid therapy-related complications relative to IV therapy (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypodermoclysis is an effective procedure for providing fluids for both chronic maintenance needs and acute situations associated with mild to moderate dehydration in a long-term care setting. Hypodermoclysis appears safer and can avoid transfers to hospital for rehydration.