Daily Express - 3000 a month dying from dehydration !
Hydrate me Band
This vinyl wrist band ( similar to some hospital bands ) has been designed to highlight patients who may be at higher risk of Dehydration/Malnourishment due to certain conditions. My band has just been granted Design Right Protection by the Intellectual Property Office (Design No.4042554).
Through my position I am contacted by so many concerned relatives who have witnessed their loved ones not being supported with food and fluids. This is not only in Hospitals or Care Homes but also those living independantly relying on carers to go in and prepare meals.
I have recently witnessed this myself when one of my own clients went into hospital. Often I saw she had food and drinks that were just left in front of her untouched.
Out of desperation from this ladies family and also my own frustrations, I decided something needed to be done in highlighting awareness to staff.
All staff need to be able to recognise patients needing assistance who are unable to speak for themselves.
Useful for those living with conditions such as
Alzheimers
Stroke
Parkinsons
Brain injury
Cognitive conditions
Motor Neurone
Multiple Sclerosis
Huntingtons
Hysteria
Generally frail and vulnerable
Conditions causing drowsiness ( UTI )
Hemiplegia
Useful alert for all Nursing and Care staff because
The band is easy to read.
Staff can easily recognise those at potentially higher risk from dehydration.
Agency staff who dont know the patients history can easily identify without reading notes for each patient first.
Consultants and Doctors can instantly visualise the more dependant patients, ( offer them a drink while discussing their notes)
Unlike some hospital boards that can be written on, these bands stay on the patient so if they are moved wards the reminder does not need to move with them. (Reducing risk of someone not writing on the next board)
As staff are sometimes borrowed from other wards, (working without handovers) they too can see straight away who needs assistance.
Home Care Agencies, rarely do the same staff go in each time all week. If they see a patient with this band and do not look in the notes they can see quickly this is a person to assist, not cook a meal and leave it in front of them.
What this has the potential to prevent
Our loved ones dying needlessly from hunger and thirst
Reduction in Urinary infections
Reduction in numbers of Hospital Trusts being persued with legal action for Neglect
Better recommendations of hospitals and Care Homes where relatives can see how they are taking action, they are trying to prevent associated problems through Dehydration and Malnutrition
Poor M U S T scores which can lead to pressure areas
Mobility problems associated with UTIs
Confusion and Delerium associated with Dehydration
Blood glucose problems because patients get regular meals, rather than them sitting there and being taken away uneaten
People on end of life care being left without being tried to see if they wish to eat or drink a little
The Band Details
Made from Vinyl, with a plastic clip - Anyone allergic to such materials should avoid use/contact with the bands
These bands are waterproof, will not smudge if wiped clean
Due to the size of the clip, this band is not suitable for small children and is not a toy
The choice is made by the individual buyer, as to if they feel the wearer is safe to keep this band on unsupervised
Once applied the clip is very hard to remove and requires cutting off, no responsibility will be accepted for misuse of the product
There are NO guarantees that this band will ensure the instructions are followed by staff (clearly the hope is that they will be)
People on entering any hospital/ care setting are normally allowed to wear things such as these, unless there is a very good medical reason for it to be removed.
However the band once purchased by each individual, this is their personal item of property, to be worn when and where they choose to do so
Once attached the plastic clip is extremely difficult to remove, and therefore ensure band is at correct width before fitting