Recurring concern
Unreliable recording of fluid balance information
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Request correctionFirst 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 accurately record fluid intake and output
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
Failure to complete the fluid balance chart
This report raised 13 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 keep patient records relating to urine charts
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
Inaccurate and incomplete fluid balance charts
This report raised 14 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
Incomplete fluid balance records
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.
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 provide food and maintain adequate fluid-balance records
This report raised 9 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 accurately record routine observations, fluid balance and gastrointestinal losses
This report raised 6 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.5
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Action
Run an awareness campaign emphasising accurate fluid-balance documentation on Joan Booker Ward.
Stated by Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Introduce training and competency assessments for staff completing fluid-balance charts.
Stated by Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Develop a redesigned fluid-balance chart to support complete recording of patient input and output.
Stated by Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Action
Conduct a repeat in-depth audit of fluid-balance documentation after the new chart is introduced and embedded.
Stated by Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Introduce the Vitalpac electronic system for capturing patient observations across most inpatient areas.
Stated by Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to complete fluid balance charts consistently and accurately
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.
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
Review the fluid balance chart and its relationship to the Trust Nutrition and Hydration Policy.
Stated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust -
Action
Implement the reviewed fluid-balance documentation approach and support it with training for all clinical staff.
Stated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Inadequate recording of food and fluid intake
This report raised 15 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
Share investigation learning with New Park House and recommend improvements to recording practices.
Stated by Stoke-on-Trent City Council
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 investigation found no evidence that fluid and food records were difficult to interpret or inaccurately recorded.
Stated by Stoke-on-Trent City Council
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Concerns raised1
Failure to document and adhere to fluid restrictions
This report raised 18 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
Introduce integrated documentation for all clinical staff treating patients on Twineham ward.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Develop and deliver a Twineham ward training package on accurate documentation and the consequences of poor documentation.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Data last updated 7 September 2026