title: Hydration status of geriatric patients in a psychiatric hospital.
abstract: Dehydration negatively impacts geriatric hospitalization outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hydration status of psychogeriatric inpatients and explore possible factors for dehydration. A descriptive, retrospective chart review of patients discharged from a psychogeriatric unit was completed. Clinical and biochemical information was collected at three time points (admission, mid-point, and discharge). Results were consistent with clinical observations that less hydrated patients seem to do worse clinically. It is important to closely monitor hydration status in psychogeriatric inpatients to reduce morbidity. Further studies are needed to develop strategies to prevent dehydration and its complications in this population.
authors.affiliation: Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota 55987, USA. dforsyth@winona.edu
authors.forename: Diane McNally
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Forsyth
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Lapid
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ellenbecker
authors.forename: Linda K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Marybeth L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: O'Neil
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Clobes
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Drier
authors.forename: Melinda J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Seifers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003681:Dehydration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010361:Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index