Evaluation of a real-life experience with a digital fluid balance monitoring technology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Innovations in healthcare technologies have the potential to address challenges, including the monitoring of fluid balance. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the functionality and accuracy of a digital technology compared to standard manual documentation in a real-life setting. METHODS: The digital technology, LICENSE, was designed to calculate fluid balance using data collected from devices measuring urine, oral and intravenous fluids. Participating patients were connected to the LICENSE system, which transmitted data wirelessly to a database. These data were compared to the nursing staff’s manual measurements documented in the electronic patient record according to their usual practice. RESULTS: We included 55 patients in the Urology Department needing fluid balance charting and observed them for an average of 22.9 hours. We found a mean difference of -44.2 ml in total fluid balance between the two methods. Differences ranged from -2230 ml to 2695 ml, with a divergence exceeding 500 ml in 57.4% of cases. The primary source of error was inaccurate or omitted manual documentation. However, errors were also identified in the oral LICENSE device. CONCLUSIONS: When used correctly, the LICENSE system performs satisfactorily in measuring urine and intravenous fluids, although the oral device requires revision due to identified errors.