Recurring concern
Unreliable recording of fluid balance information
First reported 6 Nov 2013•Latest report 22 Dec 2025
What this concern includes
Includes failures of the dedicated fluid-balance recording process, including records of intravenous fluids, fluid intake and output, and food or fluid offers and consumption, where the recording deficiency impairs reliable assessment of fluid status.
Not included
- Excludes failures to administer prescribed fluids when the recording process itself is not deficient.
- Excludes general poor maintenance of clinical or nursing records unrelated to fluid balance.
- Excludes failures in fluid-balance assessment, escalation or treatment decisions unless they also involve unreliable fluid-balance recording.
- Reports
- 46
- Individual concerns
- 50
- Date range
- 2013–2025
- Stated actions
- 87
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to complete input/output charts for seriously unwell patients
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
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Action
Reinforce accurate fluid-balance review and investigation of alternative causes of hypotension.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Speak to staff involved and remind them to record fluid balances accurately.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Deliver ward training on timely and accurate fluid-balance recording.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
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Action
Audit ward fluid-balance recording daily, provide feedback, and obtain external peer reviews for objectivity.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The records showed positive, though declining, fluid balance, so the response disputes that the patient became increasingly dehydrated.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Inaccurate recording of patients’ fluid intake
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Introduce clearer fluid-balance and fluid-target charts, train staff in their use, and include them in documentation audits.
Stated by Care UK Community Partnerships Ltd
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Concerns raised1
Failure to accurately complete and reconcile fluid balance charts
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
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Action
Support clinical leadership teams to understand roles and responsibilities for accurate fluid-balance monitoring.
Stated by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Deliver multidisciplinary education on the importance of accurate fluid-balance monitoring.
Stated by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Audit fluid-balance chart completion and monitor results through the Deteriorating Patient Group, with ward managers responsible for improvement.
Stated by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
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Action
Provide clinical induction training on completing and reviewing fluid-balance charts daily.
Stated by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Provide ward staff with critical-care outreach support and teaching on completing fluid-balance charts.
Stated by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Poor-quality nursing documentation of fluid charts
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to complete fluid balance charts accurately and consistently
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to complete fluid balance charts and calculate fluid position
This report raised 12 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Introduced bedside signage identifying patients with fluid balance charts.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Added a Trust-wide fluid balance chart compliance audit to the 2019/2020 Audit Programme.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Distributed a learning bulletin on monitoring and completing fluid balance charts.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain an accurate fluid balance chart and measure urine output
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Lack of fluid balance chart availability
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Inadequate completion of fluid balance charts
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Update ward safety-huddle content to identify patients requiring hourly urine-output monitoring and address responses to deteriorating NEWS scores.
Stated by Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Conduct weekly senior-nurse audits of fluid-balance charts to monitor maintenance of required recording standards.
Stated by Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to use fluid balance charts to monitor fluid intake and urine output
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026