The Significance of Timing of Patient Daily Weights and the Barriers

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Current unit practice is that patient daily weights are obtained in the afternoon or evenings. However, patient weights in the afternoon and evenings are not accurate dry weights. According to evidenced based research, to obtain an accurate patient daily weight, patients should be weighed every morning, after their first void and before they eat breakfast.</p> <p><strong>Purpose.</strong> The focus of the study was to compare the current practices of obtaining daily weights in the afternoon and evenings, compared to the evidenced based practice recommended in the literature.</p> <p><strong>Method.</strong> Through interviews and surveys with staff, the barriers to obtaining patient weights in the mornings, rather than that of the afternoon or evenings, were evaluated. Interviews with nursing staff and nursing assistants were conducted, discussing possible implementations to overcome the barriers discussed.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> The proposed solutions were organized and addressed with management for possible implementation.</p> <p><strong>Limitations. </strong>Limited sample size and the limited 3-month time period were limitations to this study.</p> <p><strong>Recommendations. </strong>With the unit manager’s approval, a nurse champion will carry out the suggested implementations and evaluate patient outcomes.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Level thesis:degree_level

Project/Capstone - Global access

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Pan, Ann

• Heart failure
• Daily weights
• Timing
• Dry weight
• Barriers
• Patient outcomes
• Critical Care Nursing

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/85

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.usfca.edu:capstone-1087