Weight-based medication errors: How to tip the scale in the right direction (4 February 2021)

Summary

The United States is one of only three countries in the world that does not use the metric system. Yet, every single medication prescribed today is based on it. In addition to dosages based on the metric system, some doses are also very dependent on patient weight. These include blood thinners, certain antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and many pediatric doses. The very young, very old, and people with certain medical conditions are at the highest risk of experiencing harm because their bodies are more sensitive to the effects of an error.

Calculations made with incorrect weights can have devastating, if not fatal, consequences.

Further reading

Patient Safety Authority Department of Health: Final recommendation to ensure accurate patient weights