Dehydration: New talking mugs assist the vulnerable
Older people can be vulnerable to dehydration and suffer major sideeffects as a result. But new ‘talking mugs’ being trialled in Welsh hospitals could make a huge difference to their wellbeing, as Mark Smith reports...
Innovative “talking mugs” have been introduced in hospital wards and care homes to remind vulnerable people to drink water.
Extensive evidence has shown that mild dehydration can contribute to confusion, falls, pressure ulcers and urine infections.
And the most extreme cases of dehydration can cause a patient’s condition to deteriorate rapidly, leading to acute kidney injury and even death.
But a new project developed by a senior nurse at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is aiming to improve patients’ fluid intake and prevent such tragedies from occurring.
Droplet is a world-first hydration aid, consisting of a base, mug or tumbler, that talks to patients if they are not drinking enough.
It also alerts healthcare professionals when the water is not being consumed.
The device is also designed to help people who are coping with tremors or have swallowing problems.
Under project lead Rebecca Thomas, senior nurse for professional standards and quality improvement, the Droplet hydration system was trialled by 29 patients in three hospital wards in Cwm Taf.
The devices were tested on a general medicine ward for the elderly in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant, as well two wards in Ysbyty Cwm Cynon in Mountain Ash.
“I’ve always had a particular interest in hydration and nutrition,” said Rebecca.
“There appeared to be a lot of improvements being made on the nutrition side of things, but not the hydration.
“I just happened to be looking through Twitter one day and I stumbled across the Droplet device – and I was immediately quite taken with it.
“So I got in touch with the designers and asked them more about it.”
Droplet was first created by former Bournemouth University student
Ellie Van Leeuwen, whose grandmother became confused and disorientated while she was in hospital for a routine hip operation.
It turned out that her grandmother’s symptoms were caused by her being severely dehydrated.
Ellie said: “She didn’t know who she was and struggled to recognise her family. We thought it was the early signs of dementia.
“When she returned home from hospital, she had a bad fall and was diagnosed by a doctor with severe dehydration.”
This inspired Ellie, who was studying product design at the time, to create a device to help prevent the same thing from happening to other patients.
Rebecca decided to meet up with Ellie, as well as designers from Spearmark Health, to see if Droplet could be trialled in Wales.
She was given funding by the Bevan Commission to test it in three Welsh hospital wards, with patients using it for five days then stopping for five days.
“Our findings were very encouraging,” said Bevan Exemplar Rebecca.
“We discovered there was a 43% increase in the amount of fluid being drunk with the Droplet compared to without.
“This equates to around four extra 8oz glasses of fluid per patient.”
She said carers and family members were greatly impressed by the fact that the Droplet can record four voice messages timed at intervals of 20, 40 and 60 minutes.
“Family members and carers can record their own messages to the Droplet in their own language,” she added.
“This can help familiarise the whole experience for the patient, particularly if they are confused.
“It also allows other people to feel a part of the patient’s care and contribute to them getting better, even when they’re not with them.”
Improved hydration has been linked to a decrease in average length of stay for patients in hospital and a decrease in hospital-acquired infections, such as wound or urinary tract infections.
The Droplet is now in the process of being tested in a care home in Merthyr Tydfil for one month on and one month off.
“Even if this works for just one person, then it’s a success,” Rebecca added.
“One bit of feedback from a carer was that the Droplet had actually lifted the mood of a patient and had led to them reducing their anti-psychotics as a result.”
Droplet also has a soft glowing light at night to help the patients find the device in the dark.
Rebecca hopes that the piece of kit will one day be used in hospitals and care homes across the country.