Page 16 - 2013 AAHA/AAFP Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats

Improve Your Practice

with a Model Protocol

2013 AAHA/AAFP Fluid Therapy Guidelines Protocol Template
Download this template from aahanet.org/Library/FluidTherapy.aspx to prompt discussion and to record
how your practice will implement the guidelines.
Hospital name
Date created/updated
Implementation date
Next review/update
Purpose: Outline the purpose of this protocol and how it furthers your practice mission/vision.

Team member(s) responsible for carrying out this protocol:
Supervisor/point person for managing implementation:
Training: Specify who is trained, on what topics and how often/when.
Who performs training and where?
Areas to address
General:
Use algorithms and checklists, as well as tables and charts.
Decide when fluids will be administered in our hospital (i.e., every anesthetic procedure?).
Medical record:
How will the fluid therapy plan be recorded?
Who will be responsible for doing so?
How will monitoring be recorded?
Who will be responsible for doing so?
How often will notations be made?
Will there be checklists used on a whiteboard, cage-side or in the surgery suite?
If so, when/how is that information transferred to the client record?
Client communication:
Who is responsible for updating the client on patient status?
Inventory/supplies:
What items need to be kept in stock and in what quantities?
Fluids
What fluids and electrolytes will we keep in stock?
Who is responsible for monitoring inventory levels?
Supplies
What supplies are essential for fluid therapy?
Who is responsible for monitoring inventory levels?
Equipment
What is the maintenance and monitoring schedule for our equipment?
Who is responsible?
Where are technical support numbers kept?
Client educational materials
What materials do we need and for what conditions or situations?
Who is responsible for ensuring clients receive appropriate materials and instructions?
Team motivation:
How will we stay excited about fluid therapy?

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