Drug Titration Programs

Sorry... not a clue.... I guess I'm to dependent on my calculator.

Actually, I am too. The new monitors do some calculations, they are just set up differently than our previous monitors/program. I actually had one individual ask me to make her a list(she didn't want to do it herself) about how the drugs are actually dosed (mg/kg, mcg/kg/min, ect). I asked her if she was kidding and asked her if during a code, she would say to the doc "Hold on, I need to go get my list" before she administered a drug. My feeling is that if you do not know that about the drug, either you need to go look it up, or you shouldn't be giving it. I don't know, just my feeling.

My problem in telling my nurses this is that right now, it is a serious liability because so many of them are dependent on the drip tables. For some reason instead of mg/hr, the monitors print out in mcg/min, so you have to do a few conversions before you actually know your dosage. I am just worried that they won't recognize this and will fail to dose their patients correctly. Unfortunately, I cannot spend 24 hrs a day babysitting them and making sure they are all doing the correct thing.

Anyway, it was worth a shot seeing if anyone knew of a program or book that helps out in this area.

JS

I agree, my calculator is my best friend. There is no way I'd rely on a drip table. I've had them be wrong.

And I agree completely, if you don't know about the drug, you shouldnt be giving it.

At my hospital, our computer charting system, Meditech, calculates our drip charts. We log in then go under pharmacy, click on the drug, put in the pt's weight if need be and the software calculates the chart. It's printed out on our unit. We have never had any incorrect charts (that i know of anyway). Now if you place the decimal in the wrong place for kilos then you have problems.... Usually if a pt has to be started on one of these drugs ie Neo then one nurse prints out the chart while another is priming the tubing. As long as i've been on my unit, little over 2 years, the charts have always been accurate.

Our computer charting system also has the ability to do drug charts. We use something that is called Quantitative Sentinel. I love our computer charting system....but then again, I've never worked with anything else!

Melanie = )

I use a calculator...and our pumps come preprogramed...but I always do my own calculation first.

Thanks for the replies. I am still working on it. I am aware of a few errors already. Luckily they have only been "underdosing" thus far. However, most seem to be getting the hang of it now, which makes it a little more comforting....I think.

Still looking though. I spoke with our Biomed and IT depts. and they said if they HAD to, they would put a program together but would be worried about the liability, which is understandable. Our monitor company said "Why don't get the nurses PDAs, then you can get them a drug program for it". Uh....no.

JS

I have a pocket PC and am also interested in a program like this

I work in the ED (i know, i know) and sometimes I find not enough

time to do it all in my head or on a calc.

-mmUTK