Goal-directed fluid therapy

Abstract

A method includes setting a hydration goal and administering a diuretic to the patient to induce increased urine flow and collecting urine expelled by the patient. The amount of urine expelled by the patient is determined based on the collected urine. The patient is infused with fluid from a fluid source. The amount of fluid infused into the patient is determined. Diuresis is induced by automatically and continuously adjusting the amount of fluid infused into the patient from the fluid source to meet the hydration goal based on the set hydration goal, the determined amount of urine expelled by the patient and the fluid infused.

1 . A method comprising:
 setting a hydration goal;   administering a diuretic to the patient to induce increased urine flow;   collecting urine expelled by the patient;   determining the amount of urine expelled by the patient based on the collected urine;   infusing the patient with fluid from a fluid source;   determining the amount of fluid infused into the patient;   inducing diuresis by automatically and continuously adjusting the amount of fluid infused into the patient from the fluid source to meet the hydration goal based on the set hydration goal, the determined amount of urine expelled by the patient, and the determined amount of fluid infused into the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method  claim 1  in which collecting urine expelled by the patient includes collecting urine expelled by the patient in a urine collection bag and determining the amount of urine expelled by the patient based on the collected urine includes weighing the urine collection bag. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  in which infusing the patient with fluid from a source includes employing a pump to infuse the patient with fluid from a fluid source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  in which determining the amount of fluid infused into the patient includes weighing the fluid source. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further including providing an indication when the fluid source is low on fluid based on the weight of the fluid source. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  1  in which adjusting occurs every 15 minutes or less for a therapy duration.