Thirst Aid
The Royal College of Nursing has developed a tool kit as part of its Nutrition Now campaign to assist nurses, healthcare workers, caterers and other service providers with the implementation of good hydration practice and the promotion of the benefits of regular water intake. cooler innovation finds out more about how the document could impact on healthcare in the United Kingdom.
Carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, proteins and minerals. What is missing from this list? It might come as a surprise to some, but water also fits into this group of six basic nutrients. Much is made of the need to ensure that hospital patients are meeting their nutritional requirements through food, but water is often overlooked, which can lead to dehydration among those who are most vulnerable.
The UK National Patient Safety Agency’s (NPSA) national reporting and learning system has cited dehydration as a patient safety issue as medical evidence shows that good hydration can assist in the management of diabetes, as well as helpprevent various ailments, such as pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, heart disease, low blood pressure, cognitive impairment and poor oral health.
As well as visibly promoting wellbeing and a better quality of life for patients, these benefits can also result in a reduction in medication, less time needed to care for patients suffering from common illnesses and the removal of the higher cost professional involvement that is required to prescribe and administer treatment.
“Encouraging the drinking of fresh water makes good economic sense for healthcare professionals on tight budgets,” reads the Water For Health Hydration Best Practice Toolkit for Hospitals and Healthcare. “It is not often that a healthy option proves to be a cheaper solution, but taking drinking water from the tap is highly cost effective.”
More About Bottled Water
Carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, proteins and minerals. What is missing from this list? It might come as a surprise to some, but water also fits into this group of six basic nutrients. Much is made of the need to ensure that hospital patients are meeting their nutritional requirements through food, but water is often overlooked, which can lead to dehydration among those who are most vulnerable.
The UK National Patient Safety Agency’s (NPSA) national reporting and learning system has cited dehydration as a patient safety issue as medical evidence shows that good hydration can assist in the management of diabetes, as well as helpprevent various ailments, such as pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, heart disease, low blood pressure, cognitive impairment and poor oral health.
As well as visibly promoting wellbeing and a better quality of life for patients, these benefits can also result in a reduction in medication, less time needed to care for patients suffering from common illnesses and the removal of the higher cost professional involvement that is required to prescribe and administer treatment.
“Encouraging the drinking of fresh water makes good economic sense for healthcare professionals on tight budgets,” reads the Water For Health Hydration Best Practice Toolkit for Hospitals and Healthcare. “It is not often that a healthy option proves to be a cheaper solution, but taking drinking water from the tap is highly cost effective.”
More About Bottled Water
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