Determining i.v. infusion rates for critical care drugs using a microcomputer.
Calculating intravenous (IV) infusion rates for critical care drugs can be a time-consuming and error-prone task. A microcomputer program was developed to: generate IV infusion rate charts that are both patient and drug-specific; provide the user with on-line drug information necessary to correctly prepare and administer the drug; and allow the user to rapidly perform individual dose-to-rate and rate-to-dose calculations. The program was written in BASIC programming language and runs in compiled form. It is completely menu-driven, requiring only single-keystroke commands. This program demonstrates that specific pharmacy software programs can be developed "in-house" easily and inexpensively.
D003422:Critical Care; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States