Characterization of pharmaceutical recommendations in the management of mandatory occult fluids in critically ill patients
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30968/jhphs.2025.163.1252Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to characterize pharmaceutical recommendations (PR) Focused on the management of mandatory occult fluids in critically ill patients. Methods: Observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study developed in a university hospital from April to December 2024. The PRs related to the management of mandatory occult fluids performed in the analyzed unit between January 2023 and June 2024 were characterized. The demographic profile of the patients targeted by the PRs was described, as well as the main groups of medications involved and the volume of mandatory occult fluids saved. Data were collected from the PR database of the institution’s clinical pharmacy unit and subsequently analyzed through descriptive measures, where numerical variables were presented as mean and standard deviation and categorical variables were exposed as frequency. The project was developed in full compliance with the ethical principles established in resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council. Results: The sample consisted of 90 patients, predominantly men with a mean age of 59.77 years. A total of 5,112 RFs were performed, of which 163 (3.19%) were related to mandatory occult fluid management, representing an average of 1.81 PRs per patient. The main group of drugs involved in the recommendations were anti-infectives for systemic use (61.35%), which was also the group of drugs that obtained the largest amount of volume saved (53.81%). A total of 150.584 L of fluids were avoided by performing PRs related to fluid management, representing a saving of 1.655 L per patient. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the potential that pharmacists have in managing mandatory hidden fluids in critically ill patients, since their recommendations help prevent unnecessary fluid overload that could lead to unfavorable outcomes in this group of individuals.
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