Chloride High Level Of Resuscitation Infusion Chloride High Level Of Resuscitation Infusion Delivered Evaluation

A Prospective, Before and After Study of the Impact of Lower Chloride Intravenous Fluid Management on Patients' Acid-base Status, Renal Profile,Length of Stay and Mortality.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether intravenous fluid management using lower chloride solutions (Hartmann's solutions and Plasmalyte®) will result in better outcome when compared to management using high chloride solutions (0.9% saline and Gelofusine®).

This is a prospective, controlled, before-and-after study. The baseline pre-intervention period will include collection of data while doctors and nurses are unaware that such collection is taking place. During this time, high chloride fluids (saline, Gelofusine, 4% albumin) will continue to be used according to standard practice with an estimated 30,000 liters of saline as well as 2,000 bottles of Gelofusine® being consumed.

Following a wash out period of education and preparation, there will be a complete shift to a working environment where use of saline, Gelofusine and any other fluids with a high chloride level (>110 mmol/L)will be restricted and substituted with fluids of lower chloride concentration similar to blood; either Hartmann's solution or Plasmalyte® or 20% albumin.

The study will compare a 6 month control period (before) and a six month intervention period (after).

Inclusion Criteria:

• All Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions at Austin Hospital
• All Emergency Department (ED) admissions at Austin Hospital
• All operations at Operating Theatre (OT) with hospital stay of more than 48 hours

Exclusion Criteria: Nil