Improved speed and accuracy of calculations with a programmable calculator in pediatric emergency scenarios
M. Melzer-Lange, D. Wyatt, C. Walsh-Kelly, D. Smith, M. A. Hegenbarth and C. S. Eisenberg
Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Both mathematical and selection errors may occur when ordering drug or
fluid therapy in a busy emergency department. In an attempt to improve the
speed and accuracy of such calculations, we programmed a hand-held
calculator to assist in drug and intravenous fluid therapy dosages and
rates for three emergency situations: diabetic ketoacidosis, asthma, and
asystole. Performance by 58 subjects at various levels of training was
compared when using either the programmable calculator or standard
materials and methods. When standard methods were used, an average of 30.6
minutes was needed to complete the three scenarios, with an accuracy of
73%; by contrast, use of programmable calculator resulted in a significant
decline in time needed to calculate doses (an average of only 8.5 minutes),
with an improved accuracy of 98%. The use of a programmable calculator can
result in a significant improvement in both speed and accuracy of drug and
fluid selection and dosage and rate calculations, regardless of the level
of the subject's medical training.
