Hypertonic saline administration

Disclaimer

These guidelines have been produced to guide clinical decision making for the medical, nursing and allied health staff of Perth Children’s Hospital. They are not strict protocols, and they do not replace the judgement of a senior clinician. Clinical common-sense should be applied at all times. These clinical guidelines should never be relied on as a substitute for proper assessment with respect to the particular circumstances of each case and the needs of each patient. Clinicians should also consider the local skill level available and their local area policies before following any guideline.

Read the full PCH Emergency Department disclaimer.

Aim

To guide staff in the administration of hypertonic saline.

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The primary mechanism of action of hypertonic saline is rapid mobilisation of extravascular water into the intravascular compartment by creating a gradient in tonicity between the intravascular space and ECF
It may also improve cardiac effectiveness by increasing preload and by reducing after load due to hypertonic vasodilation of systemic and pulmonary vessels.

Indications

In ED, hypertonic saline is used for the correction of severe symptomatic hyponatraemia.

Adverse

Central pontine myelinolysis due to rapid increase in serum Sodium (believed to be mainly associated with correction of chronic hyponatraemic states)
Volume overload
Hypernatraemia.

Dosage

Sodium content of solutions	sodium (Mmol/L)
3% saline	513
20% saline	3400

3% Saline is available in 1 litre bags
20% Saline is available in 10ml ampoules

Administration

via Peripheral IV:

3% Saline is the preferred solution
6ml / kg raises the serum sodium approximately 5 mmol/l
Infusion rate: 3% Saline at 0.5 – 1.0 ml/kg/hr (max rate 100ml/hr)
Duration: administer over 1 hour
Check serum Na hourly while infusion being administered and one hour post-completion of infusion.

Special

Hypertonic Saline may cause thrombophlebitis, therefore caution should be exercised when giving via a peripheral cannula
Preferred method of delivery is via a central venous catheter
Do not give simultaneously with blood transfusions.

Bibliography

The Extra Pharmacopoeia 35th Edition (2007) Martindale
eMIMS 2012
Australian Injectable Drugs Handbook 5th edition (2011)
The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia
Shann, F. Drug Doses (2010) 15th edition
Paediatric Dosage handbook international 17th Edition (2011)

Reviewer/Team:	Meredith Borland (ED Director), Dennis Chow (ED Consultant), Deirdre Speldewinde (ED Consultant), Gabrielle Anstey (ED CNS), Craig Hasler (ED CNM)	Last reviewed:	Apr 2018
		Review date:	Apr 2021
Endorsed by:	Director, Emergency Department	Date:	Apr 2018

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