Introducing a simple, weight-based, color-coded, medication dosing device.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the time required to withdraw various pediatric resuscitation medications using traditional techniques and the Per-Kilo Doser (PKD), a new weight-based dosing device. METHODS: Seven emergency department nurses were each videotaped as they withdrew medications for four different pediatric resuscitation scenarios. In random order, each nurse performed a total of eight timing trials-four with traditional techniques and four with the PKD. The videotapes were later reviewed and timed by two reviewers who were unaware of the study purpose. The time to drug withdrawal (announcement of medication and dose to be withdrawn until the nurse completed medication withdrawal) was measured in seconds. Nonparametric and exact techniques were used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Using traditional techniques, the mean time to drug withdrawal was 71.8 seconds; using the PKD, the mean time to drug withdrawal was 43.1 seconds. The mean time difference between the PKD and traditional techniques was 29.2 seconds (95% CI, 16.7-41.7). CONCLUSION: The PKD decreases medication withdrawal time.