John Inadequate inpatient hydration leads to life-threatening emergency

Your Name: John

Patient’s Name/Relationship: Patient

City/State: Southeast Florida

When did event occur (what year)? 2017, 2018

Where did event occur? Acute Care General Hospital

What type of medical harm did you experience or witness? Provider Negligence

Please describe what happened. Pt was on a vent and needed a feeding tube. (Note: John added this info later- Pt was on a vent with a feeding tube. Ht/Wt recorded was in error leading to underfeeding patient resulting in unplanned wt loss. A common problem that Nursing often shrugs off.) High cal, high pro feeding initiated and was continued without adequate hydration. Electrolyte imbalance and azotemia insued with low BP and elevated HR. Emergency hydration was required resulting in edema and fluid overload.

What was the outcome of the medical harm issue? Serious or life-threatening injury and (John added later – Extended length of hospital stay).