Pharmacy Dosage Calculations for Paediatric Patients

Dosage Calculations

Importance of Accurate Dosage Calculations

• 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

Factors Affecting Dosage Calculations

• 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)

Types of Dosage Calculations

• 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

Steps for Accurate Dosage Calculations

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

Common Errors in Dosage Calculations

• 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

Strategies to Prevent Errors

• 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

Importance of Accurate Dosage Calculations

• 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

Factors Affecting Dosage Calculations

• 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)

Types of Dosage Calculations

• 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

Steps for Accurate Dosage Calculations

• 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

Common Errors in Dosage Calculations

• 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

Strategies to Prevent Errors

• 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