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Understanding Nursing Staff Perspectives on Fluid Balance Charting: A Nordic Focus Group Study

Leinum, Lisbeth Rosen ; Krogsgaard, Marianne ; Nordh, Sören LU orcid ; Lundager Forberg, Jakob LU ; Ohlhues Baandrup, Anders and Azawi, Nessn (2025) In Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences 39(4). p.1-10
Abstract
Background
Evidence has established that the quality of fluid balance charting is often low, and quality improvement initiatives have had varying success. However, knowledge of the issue from a nursing staff perspective is lacking and has not previously been explored within a Nordic context. This study aimed to explore nursing staff's experiences with fluid balance charting in Denmark and Sweden.

Methods
In this descriptive, qualitative study, data were collected through semi-structured focus group interviews with nurses and healthcare assistants from various clinical departments in Denmark and Sweden. The interviews were analysed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach inspired by Paul... (More)
Background
Evidence has established that the quality of fluid balance charting is often low, and quality improvement initiatives have had varying success. However, knowledge of the issue from a nursing staff perspective is lacking and has not previously been explored within a Nordic context. This study aimed to explore nursing staff's experiences with fluid balance charting in Denmark and Sweden.

Methods
In this descriptive, qualitative study, data were collected through semi-structured focus group interviews with nurses and healthcare assistants from various clinical departments in Denmark and Sweden. The interviews were analysed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach inspired by Paul Ricoeur.

Results
We included 25 nurses and healthcare assistants in eight focus group interviews. We found a notable discrepancy between the perceived importance and accuracy of fluid balance charting. Nursing staff perceived fluid balance charting as a fundamental nursing task and recognized that the quality of charting could directly impact patient outcomes. However, the involvement of multiple persons and high patient–nurse ratios caused nursing staff to experience the charting procedures as beyond their control and consider the results inaccurate. Quality may potentially be enhanced by following routines and responsibilities being clearly established. Digital technologies were suggested as a means of easing workflows.

Conclusion
Although fluid balance charting is perceived as an essential nursing task potentially reducing mortality and morbidity, nursing staff lacked control over charting, which was frequently inaccurate. Enhanced charting procedures may be achieved through consensus on responsibilities, well-established routines and the support of digital technologies. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences
volume
39
issue
4
article number
e70163
pages
1 - 10
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • pmid:41355023
  • scopus:105024129800
ISSN
1471-6712
DOI
10.1111/scs.70163
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d907df90-7be6-4d56-91b5-6c869151463e
date added to LUP
2026-01-21 10:50:37
date last changed
2026-01-22 04:02:21
@article{d907df90-7be6-4d56-91b5-6c869151463e,
  abstract     = {{Background<br/>Evidence has established that the quality of fluid balance charting is often low, and quality improvement initiatives have had varying success. However, knowledge of the issue from a nursing staff perspective is lacking and has not previously been explored within a Nordic context. This study aimed to explore nursing staff's experiences with fluid balance charting in Denmark and Sweden.<br/><br/>Methods<br/>In this descriptive, qualitative study, data were collected through semi-structured focus group interviews with nurses and healthcare assistants from various clinical departments in Denmark and Sweden. The interviews were analysed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach inspired by Paul Ricoeur.<br/><br/>Results<br/>We included 25 nurses and healthcare assistants in eight focus group interviews. We found a notable discrepancy between the perceived importance and accuracy of fluid balance charting. Nursing staff perceived fluid balance charting as a fundamental nursing task and recognized that the quality of charting could directly impact patient outcomes. However, the involvement of multiple persons and high patient–nurse ratios caused nursing staff to experience the charting procedures as beyond their control and consider the results inaccurate. Quality may potentially be enhanced by following routines and responsibilities being clearly established. Digital technologies were suggested as a means of easing workflows.<br/><br/>Conclusion<br/>Although fluid balance charting is perceived as an essential nursing task potentially reducing mortality and morbidity, nursing staff lacked control over charting, which was frequently inaccurate. Enhanced charting procedures may be achieved through consensus on responsibilities, well-established routines and the support of digital technologies.}},
  author       = {{Leinum, Lisbeth Rosen and Krogsgaard, Marianne and Nordh, Sören and Lundager Forberg, Jakob and Ohlhues Baandrup, Anders and Azawi, Nessn}},
  issn         = {{1471-6712}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{1--10}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences}},
  title        = {{Understanding Nursing Staff Perspectives on Fluid Balance Charting: A Nordic Focus Group Study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/scs.70163}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/scs.70163}},
  volume       = {{39}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}