Adult standard drip rate charts are available for vasoactive drugs, anticoagulants, and other medications (amiodarone, argatroban, bivalirudin, diltiazem, dopamine, dobutamine, epinephrine, esmolol, fenolodopam, heparin, integrilin, insulin, isoproterenol, labetalol, milrinone, nesiritide, nitroglycerine, nitroprusside, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, procainamide, and propofol). The purpose of the infusion rate dosing tools is to prevent medication errors, standardized concentrations, and assist the nurse in taking care of the patient.
Selection of standard concentrations was achieved by preparing Excel spreadsheets for the commonly order concentrations of each medication. The charts showed the infusion rate for a wide range of patient weights at normal dosing ranges. The spreadsheets were presented to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and standard concentrations were selected that would meet the needs of most patients, including patients in critical care areas and fluid-restricted patients. This process helps minimize waste due to concentration changes and decreases the chance of medication errors by limiting the number of concentrations in daily use. In the event, a patient's needs can not be met by the standard concentration a nonstandard concentration may be ordered.
Argatroban Non Cath Lab 250 mg/250 ml, Rate Change Based on aPTT, Hepatic Disease Score Calculator
Argatroban Non Cath Lab 250 mg/500 ml for Patients With Liver Dysfunction, Rate Change Based on aPTT, Hepatic Disease Score Calculator
Heparin 25,000 units/250 ml (units/hour)
Heparin 25,000 units/250ml (units/kg/hour)