Less is More: Optimising Fluid Therapy

Intravenous fluids are arguably the most widely prescribed medications in acute care setting. Like other classes of medications, fluid prescriptions require several considerations—the right indication, the right drug (fluid), the right dose, the right monitoring and the right duration. While appropriate prescription can be life- and organ saving, irrational prescriptions can worsen organ dysfunction and increase mortality. This article reviews the current evidence supporting the rationale prescription of intravenous fluids in acutely ill patients