ABSTRACT
In recent years, there has been a growing advocacy to implement the use of balanced solutions like lactated Ringer's solution instead of normal saline as fluid therapy in non-critically ill patients. Currently, evidence shows that there might be a limited benefit of the use of Lactated Ringer's solution over saline in both in critically ill and non-critically ill patients. Lactated Ringer's solution is, in contrast to saline, incompatible with blood products and various frequently used intravenously administered drugs. The use of these drugs in conjunction with lactated Ringer's solution therefore requires additional precautionary measures. A hospital-wide transition from saline to lactated Ringer's solution might be beneficial for a subset of patients. However, a medication warning system is required for safe implementation.
