So…….fluids have been on allocation for about the last 6 months. Which means you can only get an allotted amount of fluids at a time. We have been very fortunate in that it has not affected us yet. We are running very low on fluids now. We have about 6 250mls bags left and are getting a case of 12 LRS liter tomorrow. We have a few patients on SQ fluids, obviously all our surgical/dental patients and then any hospitalized patients need fluids. Please use fluids sparingly and save all fluids!! Do not waste any fluids (unless contaminated). We may no longer receive any 250 bags. So we will be running low on fluids. We have about 12 liters of NaCl. Please talk to the doctor about maybe using NaCl on a patient to be able to use less of LRS. They are estimating that the earliest date for fluids to come off allocation is April 2015. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you!!
Do you want us to use bags that are older than 3 days? Or is it best on a busy surgery day to share fluid bags between patients done first with those done last?
Yes and yes. As long as fluids are not contaminated, we will use fluids IV that are 5 days old. We will use older fluids for SQ. Share an IV bag for multiple patients as long as not contaminated. Change out the extension set and add a new t-set. Change out the whole IV line if line is contaminated.
Any idea on what we are having people do that purchase fluids for at home use?