Designing drug regimens for special intensive care unit populations

Table 4 Estimates and measurements of size descriptors such as height and weight

Strive for consistency and standardization within and between all healthcare professionals and staff involved in size descriptor estimates and measurements. Examples include:

Method of estimates including formulas and equations used for calculations

Instruments used for measurement and how utilized (e.g., clothes off or on for weight recordings)

Recording and use of units of estimates and measurements (e.g., centimeters vs inches, pounds vs kilograms)

Terminology related to size descriptors (e.g., ideal weight, adjusted weight)

Ensure proper communication and documentation of method (e.g., patient vs provider, estimate vs measurement) used to obtain estimates and measurements of size descriptors

Have ongoing education with evaluation of all personnel involved in the determination and documentation of estimates and measurements

Have periodic evaluation of compliance by area (e.g., ICU vs emergency department)

Ensure that age-appropriate instruments are available and have regularly scheduled calibration

Use technology (e.g., automated infusion devices, dosing calculators) when available to reduce chance of medication errors

Reprinted with permission from Erstad[15]. Copyright © by John Wiley Sons, Inc. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ICU: Intensive care units.