Routine maintenance therapy

Fluids

If patients need IV fluids for routine maintenance alone, restrict the initial prescription to:

• 25–30ml/kg/day of water.
• Approximately 1mmol/kg/day of potassium, sodium and chloride.
• Approximately 50–100g/day of glucose to limit starvation ketosis.

Do not exceed 30 ml/kg/day for routine fluid maintenance.

 

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis

Surgical patients

• The choice of prophylaxis will depend on the type of surgery, suitability for the patient, and local policy.  
• Mechanical prophylaxis (e.g. anti-embolism stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression.
• Pharmacological prophylaxis. A low molecular weight heparin is suitable in all types of general and orthopaedic surgery; heparin (unfractionated) is preferred in patients with renal impairment.

Medical patients

• Mechanical prophylaxis (e.g. anti-embolism stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression.
• Pharmacological prophylaxis. A low molecular weight heparin is suitable; heparin (unfractionated) is preferred in patients with renal impairment.