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Infusion Rate Formula:
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This calculation converts medication doses from weight-based units (mcg/kg/hr) to volumetric infusion rates (mL/hr) based on the concentration of the medication solution. It's essential for accurate administration of blood products and intravenous medications.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how many milliliters per hour need to be infused to deliver the prescribed dose based on the patient's weight and the medication concentration.
Details: Precise infusion rate calculation is critical for medications with narrow therapeutic windows, ensuring patients receive the correct dose without under- or over-medication.
Tips: Enter the prescribed dose in mcg/kg/hr, patient weight in kg, and medication concentration in mcg/mL. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why is weight important in this calculation?
A: Many medications are dosed based on body weight to account for differences in drug distribution and metabolism among patients.
Q2: How do I find the medication concentration?
A: The concentration is typically listed on the medication packaging or can be calculated by dividing the total drug amount by the total volume of the solution.
Q3: What if my medication is in mg instead of mcg?
A: Convert mg to mcg by multiplying by 1000 (1 mg = 1000 mcg) before entering the value.
Q4: Can this calculator be used for all IV medications?
A: This is specifically for weight-based continuous infusions. Bolus doses or non-weight-based medications require different calculations.
Q5: How often should infusion rates be checked?
A: Rates should be verified at the start of infusion and periodically during administration, especially for high-risk medications.