Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

The Hypodermoclysis – Comfortable Way to Rehydration in Patients with EndStage Dementia

Luzny Jan

Introduction: Dehydration is common condition in elders. Dehydration may lead to confusional states in elderly, higher risk of infection, disturbed homeostasis, higher risk of falls, cardiac failure or acceleration of frailty phenomenon. Rehydration should begin as early as possible, should be safe and comfortable both for a patient and nursing staff. Material and Methods: Open and unblinded study has been designed. 48 patients with terminal phase of dementia requiring rehydration were involved into the study. Hypodermoclysis was used for rehydration. Interviews with nurses and monitoring of hypodermoclysis complications was done. Results: All nurses appreciated spare of time and effortlessness of subcutaneous application compared to intravenous application, all of them have reported highly comfort of such application for patients. 75% nurses (N=12) reported initial disbelief in effectiveness of hypodermoclysis. Hypodermoclysis comlications such as local edema, local infection, local erythema were rare and at case report level. Conclusion: Hypodermoklysis has been well tolerated by patients with terminal phase of dementia with low rate of complications. Nurses reported spare of time and effortlessness of subcutaneous application, comfort for patients. Hypodermoclysis should considered as a comfortable procedure for fluid replacement in terminally ill elders with dehydration.