Medical Rate Dose Calculator
Calculate infusion rates (ml/hr) based on patient weight and mcg/kg/min requirements.
Required Infusion Rate
0.00 ml/hr
Understanding Rate Dose Calculations
In clinical settings, particularly in critical care and emergency medicine, precise medication delivery is paramount. A Rate Dose Calculator helps healthcare professionals convert weight-based dosages (like micrograms per kilogram per minute) into a tangible infusion pump setting (milliliters per hour).
How the Calculation Works
To determine the correct infusion rate, the calculator follows a specific mathematical sequence:
- Determine Concentration: First, it calculates the concentration of the drug in the IV bag (mg ÷ ml).
- Calculate Total Micrograms per Minute: Patient Weight (kg) × Desired Dose (mcg/kg/min).
- Convert to Hourly: Multiply the per-minute dose by 60.
- Final Conversion: Convert micrograms to milligrams and divide by the bag concentration to get ml/hr.
Rate (ml/hr) = [Dose (mcg/kg/min) × Weight (kg) × 60] / [Concentration (mcg/ml)]
Practical Example
Imagine a patient weighing 80 kg who requires a Dopamine infusion at 5 mcg/kg/min. You have a 250 ml bag containing 400 mg of the drug.
- Concentration: 400 mg / 250 ml = 1.6 mg/ml (or 1600 mcg/ml).
- Dose: 5 mcg × 80 kg = 400 mcg/min.
- Hourly Dose: 400 mcg/min × 60 = 24,000 mcg/hr.
- Infusion Rate: 24,000 mcg/hr / 1600 mcg/ml = 15 ml/hr.
Safety Considerations
Always double-check calculations manually or with a second practitioner. Ensure that the units (mcg vs. mg) are correctly identified, as a decimal error can lead to a tenfold dosage mistake. This tool is intended for educational and reference purposes only.