1. What is the Infusion Rate Formula?

The infusion rate formula calculates the flow rate in mL/hr needed to deliver a specific dose of medication measured in micrograms per kilogram per minute (mcg/kg/min). This is commonly used for critical care medications like vasopressors and inotropes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• Dose — Medication dose in micrograms per kilogram per minute (mcg/kg/min)
• Weight — Patient's weight in kilograms (kg)
• Concentration — Medication concentration in micrograms per milliliter (mcg/mL)
• 60 — Conversion factor from minutes to hours

Explanation: The formula converts the weight-based dose to an absolute dose, then calculates the volume needed per hour based on the medication concentration.

3. Importance of Accurate Calculation

Details: Precise infusion rate calculation is critical for medications with narrow therapeutic windows where small dosing errors can have significant clinical consequences.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the prescribed dose in mcg/kg/min, patient's weight in kg, and medication concentration in mcg/mL. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: The multiplication by 60 converts the rate from minutes (mcg/kg/min) to hours (mL/hr) since infusion pumps typically use mL/hr.

Q2: What if my medication is in mg/mL?
A: Convert mg to mcg by multiplying by 1000 (1 mg = 1000 mcg) before entering the concentration.

Q3: How often should infusion rates be recalculated?
A: Recalculate whenever the patient's weight changes significantly or when changing medication concentrations.

Q4: Does this work for all IV medications?
A: This formula is specifically for medications dosed in mcg/kg/min. Other medications may require different calculations.

Q5: Should I double-check calculations?
A: Always verify critical medication calculations with a second healthcare professional, especially for high-risk medications.