Pharmacy Dosage Calculations for Paediatric Patients

Study Notes

Paediatric patients are more susceptible to medication errors due to their smaller size and developing physiology
Incorrect dosing can lead to adverse reactions, toxicity, or treatment failure
Accurate dosage calculations are crucial to ensure safe and effective medication administration in paediatric patients

Weight-based dosing: paediatric medication dosages are often calculated based on the child's weight
Age-based dosing: some medications have age-specific dosing recommendations
Body surface area (BSA): used for certain medications, especially in oncology and chemotherapy
Developmental stage: dosing may vary depending on the child's stage of development (e.g., neonate, infant, toddler)

Milligram per kilogram (mg/kg): used for weight-based dosing
Millilitres per kilogram (mL/kg): used for medications administered in liquid form
Body surface area (BSA) calculations: used for certain medications, especially in oncology and chemotherapy

Verify the patient's weight: ensure accurate weight measurement to calculate correct dosage
Check the medication order: confirm the medication, dose, and route of administration
Calculate the dose: use the correct formula and unit conversions (e.g., mg/kg, mL/kg) to calculate the dose
Double-check calculations: verify calculations to ensure accuracy
Administer the medication: ensure the correct dose and route of administration

Unit conversions: errors in converting between units (e.g., milligrams to micrograms)
Decimal point errors: errors in placing decimal points, leading to incorrect dosages
Miscalculations: errors in performing mathematical calculations
Communication errors: errors in transcribing or communicating medication orders

Use standardized calculation formulas and tools: use established formulas and calculators to reduce errors
Verify calculations with a second person: have a second healthcare professional review calculations
Use barcode scanning and electronic medication administration records: utilize technology to reduce errors and improve accuracy
Provide education and training: educate healthcare professionals on accurate dosage calculations and paediatric medication administration

Paediatric patients are more susceptible to medication errors due to their smaller size and developing physiology
Inaccurate dosing can lead to adverse reactions, toxicity, or treatment failure
Accurate dosage calculations are crucial to ensure safe and effective medication administration in paediatric patients

Paediatric medication dosages are often calculated based on the child's weight
Some medications have age-specific dosing recommendations
Body surface area (BSA) is used for certain medications, especially in oncology and chemotherapy
Dosing may vary depending on the child's stage of development (e.g., neonate, infant, toddler)

Milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) is used for weight-based dosing
Millilitres per kilogram (mL/kg) is used for medications administered in liquid form
Body surface area (BSA) calculations are used for certain medications, especially in oncology and chemotherapy

Verify the patient's weight to calculate the correct dosage
Check the medication order to confirm the medication, dose, and route of administration
Calculate the dose using the correct formula and unit conversions (e.g., mg/kg, mL/kg)
Double-check calculations to ensure accuracy
Administer the medication ensuring the correct dose and route of administration

Unit conversions can lead to errors in calculating the correct dosage
Decimal point errors can result in incorrect dosages
Miscalculations can occur when performing mathematical calculations
Communication errors can occur when transcribing or communicating medication orders

Use standardized calculation formulas and tools to reduce errors
Verify calculations with a second person to ensure accuracy
Use barcode scanning and electronic medication administration records to reduce errors and improve accuracy
Provide education and training on accurate dosage calculations and paediatric medication administration to healthcare professionals