Red cups are appearing on the wards at Airedale Hospital as part of efforts to reduce the risk of dehydration among patients.
From this week more than 500 red cups, funded as part of a grant from NHS England, are being sent to all wards in the hospital. They'll be be given to patients staying on wards who are at risk of not drinking enough, to signify to other healthcare staff that they need extra support and encouragement to drink.
Dehydration affects patients' physical and mental health and can affect their mood and feelings as well as their body. Signs of dehydration include dark urine, tiredness, dry mouth and headaches and it can result in urinary tract infections and confusion in some cases.
It’s recommended that people should drink around 6-8 glasses of water or 2 litres per day for healthy adults but staying hydrated when in hospital can be a challenge for some patients.
Arlene Beausire, Infection Prevention Nurse at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says: “There are lots of reasons why people don’t drink enough when they come into hospital, when you’re feeling poorly you don’t always feel motivated to drink, they might have communication difficulties or it can be because of dementia, where patients might not recognise when they are thirsty or it could be people who are sedated or drowsy that might need reminding of the need to drink.
“We only need to lose 1% of water from our body to start to experience problems. These cups will alert any staff on the ward, it doesn’t have to be nursing staff, so they can just encourage the patient to drink whenever they need it. Every little sip helps.”
Katie Widdop, Senior Sister on ward 10 at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust added: “Good hydration is so important for all our patients. They eat better, they sleep better and it helps prevent other medical problems developing like low blood pressure or kidney stones. It also helps their medications to work properly and reduces their risk of infection. Nutrition and hydration help them get out of bed which also prevents deconditioning and dizziness which can lead to falls which means their stay in hospital would be longer.
“The red cups will highlight to all our staff that a patient needs prompting to drink. They’re a great idea and an easy way for staff to know who needs that extra bit of help.”
The hospital is also planning to provide a new and improved drinks menu for patients, which will have a choice of 8 drink selections, including decaffeinated options and green tea, hot chocolate and cold refreshing squashes, which will be on the trollies which visit the wards four times a day, as well as being available on request.
The new red cups complement the red tray system the trust already provides, to identify patients that need help with eating.
Greens win Bradford Council seats in Ilkley and Craven
Five Ilkley artists prepare to open their studios
Labour wins North Yorkshire Mayoral election by nearly 15,000 votes
Experience 'Zip The Cow' for Manorlands Hospice!
Kex Gill on course to open by end of June, say council
No Northern train services next Thursday due to strike
Developer's bid to change planning condition on Silsden housing estate raises concerns
Local young dancers chosen for production of Swan Lake
South Craven plans to join East Lancashire schools in new Trust
Council increases library fines for first time in a decade
A-list celebrities support Brownies Bookmark Project
Heat Pump & Solar Panel Open Day in Ilkley on Saturday
Armed Forces Brew Up to take place at Airedale Hospital
Friends of Ilkley Moor announces AGM
Lidl seeks new stores in Ilkley, Skipton and Keighley
Ilkley Civic Society raises concerns over proposals for Changing Places Toilet
Countdown to “spectacular” Mardi-Gras themed Ilkley Carnival begins!
Craven Museum shortlisted for major national award
Tributes paid to 14 year old killed at weekend in Keighley crash
14 year old boy dies in Keighley road crash
