Saline vs. Lactated Ringers for Emergency Department IV Fluid Resuscitation

Completed · Phase 4

Conditions studied: Fluid Loss, Symptom Complex, Triple, Emergencies

In brief

Administration of intravascular (IV) fluid is the most common emergency department (ED) procedure. IV fluids are integral to increasing effective blood volume and ensuring organ perfusion in patients with volume depletion and dehydration. There are many options of IV fluids providers can use when treating ED patients. Surveys show physicians do not cite an evidence-based reason for selecting the crystalloid IV fluid used; the decision was likely to be influenced by type and location of practice. A gap exists in the current literature, as there is no evidence for the optimal IV fluid choice for the ED patient requiring IV fluid before discharge. Normal saline (NS) is commonly used as an IV fluid replacement in ED patients. However, NS has been associated with increased risk of acidosis and acute kidney injury. This study will use a novel approach of a patient-centered outcome in a non-critically ill population to ascertain the optimal IV fluid for patient quality of recovery. The results of this study will inform provider's IV fluid decisions between NS and LR. More importantly, the results of this study will have the power to improve patient's quality of recovery following IV fluid administration and subsequent ED discharge. ED patients will be recruited, and participants will be randomized to receive one of two IV solutions (Lactated ringer's or normal saline). Participants will answer a survey before and after the intervention to assess their quality of recovery. The post-survey will be administered by phone after ED discharge. Participants will also be contacted by text message one week following their ED visit to gather information on their healthcare utilization.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03133767

Run by

Nicholas M Mohr

People needed

157

Starts

2017-05-23

Expected to finish

2017-11-02

Last updated by the study team

2018-09-11

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Emergency department patient
• Chief complaint of nausea, vomiting or emesis, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, heat stroke or exhaustion
• ED provider approves administration of two liters of fluid
• ED provider states patient is likely to be discharged
• Patient has followed up with PCP in the last two years
• Patient has access to phone for next two days following ED discharge

You may not qualify if…

• Prisoners
• Children
• Women known to be pregnant
• Jaundice
• Current chemotherapy

Where it is running

• University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics — Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.