Any Apps available for mixing IV drugs?

Specialties Emergency

Published

I Work nights and a lot of times we have to mix our own IV drugs because pharmacy isn't available. examples like amiodrone , cardizem, Dilantin, nitro... Ect.

It gets frustrating because the reference they provided us doesn't have every drug we need.

Thanks

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Does your hospital have a remote pharmacy for after hours? My hospital recently switched to having a 24 in-house pharmacy but before that we had a number we can call for a remote pharmacy if we had any questions. If we needed to make medications, we would either do it ourselves or our nursing supervisor would have to make it, which is usually the latter.

I work in the ED and in our med rooms we have a little cheat sheet with the drug and what to mix it with. Most of them are antibiotics but I have had to make other drips like Dilantin and sometimes it's just easier to make it yourself instead of waiting for pharmacy to do it. I would make a list of the medications you end up having to make the most often and create your own little cheat sheet. Collaborate with your pharmacy. Ours just looks like this (just some examples of meds)

ceftriaxone 1gm 50cc NS

ceftriaxone 2gm 50cc NS

Zosyn 3.375gm 50cc NS

Vancocin 1gm 250cc NS

Protonix 80mg/100cc NS

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
It gets frustrating because the reference they provided us doesn't have every drug we need.

Sounds like a good project for someone in your ED -- maybe you? :) I made a quickie drug reference book for the biggies that we use in my ED here in Afghanistan, since I'm the only actual ED nurse and the others may be unfamiliar with some of the meds. It's helpful.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Do they subscribe to micromedex or up to date online? They have amazing references. You can get it yourself but it is pricey.

Get a good drug book....Porter's Pocket Guide to Emergency and Critical Care

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Sounds like a good project for someone in your ED -- maybe you? :) I made a quickie drug reference book for the biggies that we use in my ED here in Afghanistan, since I'm the only actual ED nurse and the others may be unfamiliar with some of the meds. It's helpful.
I've made many...they are very helpful.
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Specializes in Emergency.

I use three drug guides: Davis, Medscape, and Epocrates. Davis drug guide app has a section "implementation" which has the dilutent information your asking for. It also has y site compatibility info. Medscape has a section called "administration" which has similar info and their app is free so you might want to start there before buying Davis drug guide app. I find the apps much more convenient than a book as it's always with me and small, but your mileage may vary.... lol

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