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Reduce Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) Involving Intravenous Medications:
Use Pre-Made Dose and Flow Rate Charts

When using medication in solutions, doses administered are affected by flow rates, so it is important to minimize the risk of error in setting flow rates. Providing pre-made dosing charts that list the appropriate flow rates to set for the dose requested can help staff quickly identify the proper flow rate without having to recall information from memory or do manual calculations.


Tips
  • Prepare all solutions in pharmacy.
  • Select one standard solution for each medication whenever possible to use throughout the organization so that only one dosing chart will need to be created.
  • Laminate the dosing charts so that they will last longer.
  • Provide copies of the dosing charts to all who order or administer medications, and place extra copies on patient care units.