Mag Sulfate for pre-eclamptics

[obnursesteff]

We have routine pre-eclamptic orders, to include MgSO4, but no policy/procedure. Is there anyone out there that would be willing to help me out in setting up a policy/procedure? Maybe let me know what your hospital has in writing. We are a small community hospital with 3 labor rooms. Your help is much appreciated.

[JaneyW]

We have routine pre-eclamptic orders, to include MgSO4, but no policy/procedure. Is there anyone out there that would be willing to help me out in setting up a policy/procedure? Maybe let me know what your hospital has in writing. We are a small community hospital with 3 labor rooms. Your help is much appreciated.

Our policy is 8 pages long. I think it is maybe too long as when you are starting Mag you are usually in a hurry. :stone In a nutshell, it gives guidelines for indications and contraindications, step by step procedure and staffing issues (1:1 during first 2 hours). We do BP/P/R/DTRs q 5 minutes for the 1/2 hour of the loading dose then q 15minutes for 2 hours then back off to q 4 hours if stable at that time. There are also guidelines for when to draw mag levels depending on G/hr. We have calcium gluc at bedside and policy on when to give and how.

You should definitely have some sort of policy--especially if you don't do it often. We are bigger (150-200 a month), but don't do much high risk so I don't start mag much. It is nice to have the policy as a resource.