Abstract:
Introduction Many hospitalized patients receive intravenous fluids (IV) for replacement of body fluid
losses and maintenance of proper fluid and electrolyte status. Proper clinical decision making, IV fluid
administration and monitoring practices are critical in the prevention of complications related to IV fluid
therapy. The objective was to identify the health system factors that affect the administration of
intravenous fluids to patients by nurses at the medical and surgical wards at a County Referral Hospital
in Kenya.
Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on nurses at the adult medical and surgical
wards. Self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the nurses. Data on the
challenges encountered by the nurses in administration of IV fluids to the patients was collected.
Relevant authorities granted approval to collect data.
Findings Shortage of nurses (staffing) was the most significant health system factor (p=0.0001) in the
administration of IV fluids to patients. Shortage of supplies (IV fluids and infusion sets) also affected IV
fluid administration to patients (p=0.013)
Conclusion Various health system factors affect administration of IV fluids to patients; with the most
significant ones being shortage of nurses and supplies in the wards.
