Do I need to calculate this?

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Specializes in SN, LTC, REHAB, HH.

I'm a new nurse working in a LTC/Rehab facility so forgive me for the dumb questions about IV's. I really didn't get good training in my IVT class. anyways, i got an order to infuse 100mls of an antibiotic over 30 mins. we have baxter pumps these huge brown ones, LOL. do i just put in the 30min for rate and 100mls for VTBI or do i have to calculate? so far i've haven't had any major problems with other ones that goes for an hour.

Thanks in advance for all the support. :)

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

I believe your pump will calculate that for you.if you have that feature..so set the VTBI (volume to be infused) at 100 ml and your time to 30 min and see if it automatically sets the rate for you....at 200 ml per hour it should deliver the dose over the 30 min...some bags have a little overfill so sometimes you have to go back and add 10 ml or so once it lets you know it is done....just add in the volume you guesstimate and keep the rate the same and infuse any overfill you may have ...if it is not an automatic set then you may have to program that in...what is your pump name and model number and I can tell you how to get a users manual...that will be very helpful for you until you learn the pump...your unit may have one but they often grow legs

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I think you are referring to the 15+ year old pumps you get from the pharmacy right?

Usually pumps are set for 1hr infusion. You put in the volume and you have to figure the rate. On the rate panel it should say "ml/hr" letting you know the infusion is based off of a 1 hr standard rate.

100ml...want 30 min infusion...run it at 200ml/hr

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Specializes in Vascular Access.
I'm a new nurse working in a LTC/Rehab facility so forgive me for the dumb questions about IV's. I really didn't get good training in my IVT class. anyways, i got an order to infuse 100mls of an antibiotic over 30 mins. we have baxter pumps these huge brown ones, LOL. do i just put in the 30min for rate and 100mls for VTBI or do i have to calculate? so far i've haven't had any major problems with other ones that goes for an hour.

Thanks in advance for all the support. :)

For the Baxter Flogards 6201 series, put in your pri (primary) VTBI of the mls in the bag, or in this case, 100cc.

Then, hit your time button and put in 3 0 (for 30 minutes) then hit pri rate and the pump will calculate the rate for you. To fiqure out the flowrate by hand, always take the volume and divide that by the time in hours that you want it to infuse over, in this case 30 minutes will be 100cc / 0.5 to equal 200cc an hr. Hope this helps.

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Specializes in SN, LTC, REHAB, HH.
I believe your pump will calculate that for you.if you have that feature..so set the VTBI (volume to be infused) at 100 ml and your time to 30 min and see if it automatically sets the rate for you....at 200 ml per hour it should deliver the dose over the 30 min...some bags have a little overfill so sometimes you have to go back and add 10 ml or so once it lets you know it is done....just add in the volume you guesstimate and keep the rate the same and infuse any overfill you may have ...if it is not an automatic set then you may have to program that in...what is your pump name and model number and I can tell you how to get a users manual...that will be very helpful for you until you learn the pump...your unit may have one but they often grow legs

I just went on an put in the 200(rate) and 100 (vtbi) and it went over the 30 min. i was worried that it wouldn't, lol i stood there for awhile to see.

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Never be afraid to call your pharmacy to ask questions if you are in doubt at work. I call mine with various questions all night long...remember your facility is paying for their services.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

please get the manual for the pump,,most also will have little hand cheat sheets

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