Drink To Your Health!

We keep hydration top-of-mind during the warm summer months, but it's just as important to stay hydrated once the weather turns cooler. According to CMS tag F327, facilities must "provide each resident with sufficient fluid intake to maintain proper hydration and health."¹

To determine how much fluid a resident should consume on a daily basis, CMS recommends multiplying the resident’s body weight in kg (2.2 lbs = 1 kg) by 30 cc, except for residents with renal or cardiac distress (these individuals can be harmed by having an excess of fluids in their bodies). Using drinking cups with gradation marks can help you keep track of how much liquid a resident is consuming.

The following strategies from CMS can help residents stay hydrated throughout the day¹:

• Offer a variety of fluids (water, fruit juice, milk, etc.) between meals and encourage residents as appropriate
• Serve additional beverages with meals to help increase fluid intake
• Make sure filled water pitchers and drinking cups are easily accessible to residents
• Offer alternate fluid sources, such as popsicles, gelatin and ice cream

ProMed offers drinking cups and pitchers for use throughout your facility. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at 800.648.5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Reference
1 State Operations Manual. Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities. Rev. 70, 01-07-11. Available at: http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_pp_guidelines_ltcf.pdf. Accessed Septmeber 25, 2013.