Four investigators performed the study using a single- page CRF. All inpatients were visually inspected by one of four investigators between 10.00 and 14.30 hours on the day of the audit to determine if they had a venous access device for IV fluid administration. The duration of 4.5 h was the time taken to physically visit each ward in order to visualize each patient directly. Patient observation charts were assessed to determine if IV fluid administration was inter- mittent or maintenance, if a fluid balance chart was in use, and for the documentation of a measured body weight in the previous 24 h. All data were collected in the study day, except for serum electrolyte and renal function data, and hospital outcome data, which were collected