Does hands-free drinking improve patient hydration?

Sutton, Debbie

• This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

Author Debbie Sutton is project dietitian at Patient Safety Federation; Mike Stroud is consultant gastroenterologist at University Hospitals Southampton.

A hands-free bottle has been designed to improve hydration in hospital patients. Qualitative data showed it was more acceptable to certain groups of patients

Nursing Times 109(29):p 14-16, July 24, 2013.

Abstract

Sutton D, Stroud M (2013) Does hands-free drinking improve patient hydration? Nursing Times; 109: 29, 14-16. Hospital patients are at risk of dehydration, especially if they cannot drink unaided due to physical or mental incapacity. Dehydration may lead to complications and result in costly interventions.

A sports-style bottle has been developed into a hands-free drinking system by fitting a drinking tube into the screw top. We trialled the bottle on acute wards and in the community to test claims that it improves hydration and reduces infection risks and length of hospital stays.

The Hydrant is useful and even transformative for some patients. However, it is less suitable for older people, especially those in rehabilitation programmes.