UTMB DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Section 8.00 Inpatient Dispensing Policies Page 1 of 2

Policy 8.12 Pediatric Emergency Drug Effective Date: 11/30/99
Dosage Calculations Last Review/Revision Date: 08/23/05
Next Review Date: 08/23/07
Author: Department of Pharmacy

PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DRUG DOSAGE CALCULATIONS

AUDIENCE All Pharmacy Personnel and Pediatric Nurses

DEFINITIONS Pediatric patient: A patient who is 18 years or less upon admission

Emergency Drug Dosage Calculations: A list of medications and

pre-calculated doses used during a Pediatric code situation based on
the child’s weight and age.

POLICY The Pharmacy will provide Pediatric Emergency Drug Calculations for
all pediatric admissions to Children’s Hospital and Rebecca Sealy
Hospital within two hours from getting the first medication order.

GUIDELINES The nurse will provide pharmacy with the admission weight for each
patient. This information may be obtained off the patient’s admission
orders or verbally from the nurse.

The Pediatric order entry Pharmacist will enter the patient's name,
unit, age, and weight (in kilograms) into the designated computer
located in the Inpatient Pharmacy or pediatric satellite and print the
Emergency Drug Dosage Calculation Sheet.

A second Pharmacist or nurse will review the printout to ensure

accuracy that the correct name, weight, age and unit were entered.
The printout must be delivered within two (2) hours upon receipt of the
new order.
The Nurse will verify that the following information is correct as shown
on the printout:
• Name of patient
• Age of patient
• Weight of patient

One copy will be kept at the patient’s bedside and the second copy
with the patient’s chart. The third copy will be kept on file in the
appropriate folder located in the Order Entry area of the Pharmacy for
reference.

If for any reason the Emergency Drug Dosage Calculations Sheet

needs to be recalculated (i.e., Patient demonstrates significant weight
gain/loss, printout misplaced), the Nurse may notify the Pediatric
 UTMB DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Section 8.00 Inpatient Dispensing Policies Page 2 of 2
Policy 8.12 Pediatric Emergency Drug Effective Date: 11/30/99
Dosage Calculations Last Review/Revision Date: 08/23/05
Next Review Date: 08/23/07
Author: Department of Pharmacy

order entry Pharmacist to recalculate the Emergency Drug Sheet.