We were interested to read Dr Coulthard’s opinions on maintenance intravenous fluids1 in the context of the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) patient safety alert 22.2 As highlighted by Stewart et al in their response to Dr Coulthard’s article,3 the NPSA has not designated a default fluid. However, when we examined all of the NPSA recommendations, with regard to our patient population, we decided to opt for the isotonic fluid 0.9% saline with 5% dextrose as a single default fluid. We believe that this is logical, safe and simple.

Firstly, it is a …