Symptoms and general pathology Signs and Symptoms
Conditions
Interventions
Patients are randomised following consent to receive their 'normal' care plus 1 litre of normal saline subcutaneously or just their normal care. Fluids will be administered subcutaneously using a cann
Sponsors
NHS R&D Regional Programme Register - Department of Health (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be identified during the daily team meetings held within each of the hospices. The inclusion criteria are as follows: 1. Deemed to have a short life expectancy (Bozetti 1996) 2. Aged above 18 3. Inpatient within Butterick Hospice, Teesside Hospice, Hartlepool Hospice, St Oswalds Hospice or the Newcastle Marie Curie Centre 4. Oral intake has fallen below 1000 ml/24 hour and is recognised by the team as part of their deterioration
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Known to have cerebral oedema 2. Known to have congestive cardiac failure 3. Known to have a coagulation disorder 4. Known to be in renal or liver failure or are hypercalcaemic 5. Known to have a tumour which has a direct influence on fluid balance
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| A tool developed by Jones et al (1998) will be used in assessing the degree of agitation/restlessness which occurs. The data collection procedure will also include information on the degree of agitation, including any precipitating, aggravating or alleviating factors. Staff will therefore have to complete an assessment sheet which asks them to identify not only the frequency and degree of agitation but also a checklist of causative factors to exclude if the patient does become agitated. These will include assessment of pain, full bladder, constipation, anguish and the need for opioid rotation. In general the assessor will be the qualified nurse on duty and the assessment should be performed once during each shift, on a morning between 5 am and 7 am, 10 am and 12 midday and on an evening between 5 pm and 7 pm. The end point of the study will be the death of the patient or discharge if they wish to die at home. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Not provided at time of registration | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed