Oral Versus Intravenous Fluid Therapy in the Emergency Department

What this Trial Is About

This trial aims to evaluate whether oral fluid therapy can achieve prescribed fluid volumes as effectively as intravenous fluid therapy in adult patients admitted to the emergency department who need fluid treatment. It also assesses the feasibility of conducting such a randomized trial by looking at recruitment rates and how well participants follow the protocol. The study compares oral tap water with standard intravenous crystalloid therapy to see if oral fluids are not inferior in reaching the prescribed fluid amounts. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either oral tap water or intravenous crystalloid fluids during their emergency department stay. The fluid volume and administration rate will be determined by the treating physician. The study period covers the patient's time in the emergency department, up to a maximum of 48 hours. During the study, researchers will monitor fluid intake, vital signs, and clinical outcomes following standard care practices. They will record the percentage of patients achieving the prescribed fluid volume within 48 hours and track secondary outcomes such as changes in blood pressure, hospital-free days alive at 30 days, mortality at 30 days, total fluids received, and duration with an intravenous catheter. Follow-up information will be collected through routine health records up to 30 days after inclusion.

Oral Versus Intravenous Fluid Therapy in the Emergency Department