CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN FLUID STEWARDSHIP or short CEFS
Foster education and promote research on fluid stewardship.
International Fluid Academy Centres of Excellence
International Fluid Academy Centres of Excellence represent institutions that demonstrate a sustained commitment to excellence in fluid stewardship, education, research, and clinical implementation. This initiative recognises centres that actively contribute to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based fluid management and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Centres of Excellence programme is designed to support quality improvement, professional education, and scientific leadership within a structured and transparent framework.
Purpose of the Centres of Excellence Programme
The International Fluid Academy established the Centres of Excellence programme to acknowledge healthcare institutions that integrate best practices in fluid management into daily clinical care. These centres serve as reference sites for education, research, and implementation of evidence-based strategies.
Moreover, the programme aims to promote harmonisation of clinical practice while respecting local context and resources. As a result, International Fluid Academy Centres of Excellence play a key role in advancing fluid stewardship worldwide.
Criteria for International Fluid Academy Centres of Excellence
Institutions recognised as International Fluid Academy Centres of Excellence meet predefined criteria across multiple domains, including:
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Education and training in fluid management and critical care
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Implementation of evidence-based protocols and guidelines
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Engagement in research, audit, or quality improvement initiatives
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Multidisciplinary collaboration involving physicians, nurses, and allied professionals
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Commitment to transparency, ethics, and patient safety
These criteria ensure that recognition reflects meaningful and measurable contributions rather than symbolic endorsement.
Governance and Academic Independence
The Centres of Excellence programme operates within the governance framework of the International Fluid Academy. Importantly, recognition as a Centre of Excellence does not imply commercial endorsement or exclusivity.
All activities aligned with the programme adhere to principles of scientific independence, transparency, and ethical collaboration. These principles are consistent with international standards promoted by organisations such as the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int).
Becoming a Centre of Excellence in Fluid Stewardship (CEFS)
A Centre of Excellence in Fluid Stewardship (CEFS) is a hospital or healthcare institution that distinguishes itself by adhering to best practices, promoting education, and implementing systems to achieve exceptional care in fluid management and stewardship.
The first steps to become a Centre of Excellence
• Formation of core fluid team in the hospital:
The hospital must establish a multidisciplinary team responsible for leading fluid stewardship initiatives:
- Doctors (minimum 2, from different specialties such as critical care, emergency department, operating room, surgery, or internal medicine)
- Pharmacist (1)
- Nurse (1–2, ideally from critical care or perioperative settings)
- Dietician (1, focusing on nutritional fluid requirements)
• Team Certification
The entire core team must complete The Basic Fluid Champion Course so that each individual HCP obtains the Fluid Champion badge and certificate.
• Team participates at IFADmini
The core team must attend at least one IFADmini event and participate and pass as a team to gain further insights and engage with the global IFA community.
• Financial support
The core team should obtain buy-in and financial support from the hospital management team to initiate application (this may be via external funding).
Further details about IFA’s mission and governance can be found here:
The IFA wants to recognize the world’s best CEFS programs
The mission of the IFA is to foster education and promote research on fluid stewardship.
The Centre of Excellence in Fluid Stewardship recognizes hospitals worldwide that distinguish themselves.
Fill in the contact form for more details
Recognition of hospitals worldwide
that distinguish themselves by having processes, procedures and systems in place that promote excellence and exceptional care in fluid management and stewardship.
SILVER
After finishing the fluid champion course and participation at IFADmini, the core team can submit an application for the Silver Label CEFS, which is valid for two years and demonstrates foundational commitment to fluid stewardship practices.
Fill in the contact form for more details about obtaining the Silver Label.
GOLD
To achieve the Centre of Excellence in Fluid Stewardship (Gold Label), a hospital with a Silver Label must complete a comprehensive implementation program focused on fluid stewardship.
The Gold Label application includes additional requirements such as:
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- Baseline Analysis
- Knowledge survey
- Medical audit
- Local Fluid Guideline Development
Reach out for more details on obtaining the Gold Label
DIAMOND
Obtainable by a Gold Label CE if the core team passes a full-day “train-the-trainer” program organized by IFA, which can be conducted at local TDC facilities.
For the additional requirements and more details on obtaining the Diamond Label, reach out to the IFA team via the contact form below.
IFA Award of Excellence
Annual Review Cycle
