Adult standard drip rate charts are available for vasoactive drugs, anticoagulants, and other medications (amiodarone, argatroban, bivalirudin, diltiazem, dopamine, dobutamine, epinephrine, esmolol, fenolodopam, heparin, integrilin, insulin, isoproterenol, labetalol, milrinone, nesiritid, nitroglycerine, nitroprusside, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, procainamide, and propofol). The purpose of the infusion rate dosing tools are to prevent medication errors, standardized concentrations, and assist the nurse taking care of the patient.
Selection of standard concentrations was achieved by preparing Excel spreadsheets for the commonly order concentrations of each medication. The charts showed the infusion rate for a wide range of patient weights at normal dosing ranges. The spreadsheets were presented to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and standard concentrations were selected that would meet the needs of most patients, including patients in critical care areas and fluid restricted patients. This process helps minimizing waste due to concentration changes and decreases the chance of medication errors by limiting the number of concentrations in daily use. In the event a patient's needs can not be met by the standard concentration a nonstandard concentration may be ordered.
Copies of drip rate charts (Excel spreadsheets) may be obtained by contacting Marshall Pierce. Note adobe files may be saved to your own computer for later use. The Excel spreadsheets will only be offered for a fee in a password protected version that prevents modification of the files. It you have formatting or other changes that you would like I will modify the originals.
Argatroban Non Cath Lab 250 mg/250 ml, Rate Change Based on aPTT, Hepatic Disease Score Calculator, Algorithm for INR Monitoring, Order Sheet
Argatroban Non Cath Lab 250 mg/500 ml for Patients With Liver Dysfunction, Rate Change Based on aPTT, Hepatic Disease Score Calculator, Algorithm for INR Monitoring, Order Sheet
Heparin 25,000 units/250 ml (units/hour)
Heparin 25,000 units/250ml (units/kg/hour)
Vasoactive Medication Infusion Policy (MRMC) & Information Chart (MRMC)