Leicester Children’s Emergency Department Drug Calculator
It was recognised that a print out of a prescription compliant chart of the drugs needed to manage the critically unwell child was needed.
Aims
Provide a template that works as both an aide-memoir and a prescription aide for health care professionals receiving ill or injured children into the resuscitation area.
Description
An excel file which allows inputting of an age (or known weight) to enable the key critical care drugs and infusions to be calculated was created.
The excel file can be reached directly by a link placed on the Emergency Department laptops. This provides a one-click solution. The age can be inputted and the chart printed off. It can also be used in ‘real-time’ as well on the wards where access to printing may be problematic.
Find out more about the project here.
Challenges and Learning
Biggest challenge is awareness. Those who have used do so on a regular basis and find it convenient.
It has been noted that trying to find and print in a hurry when not done so before tends to result in increased delays.
The project has been approved by the Chief Paediatric Pharmacist at UHL.
Project Lead: Dr. Mark Williams, Dr Steve Corry and Dr. David Harris (Chief Pharmacist)
Organisation: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust