How to Calculate Flow Rate in Ml Hr

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IV Flow Rate Calculator (ml/hr)

Calculate medical infusion rates accurately and quickly.

Calculated Infusion Rate

How to Calculate Flow Rate in ml/hr

Calculating the infusion flow rate is a critical skill for healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive the correct volume of fluids or medication over a specific period. The standard unit for an infusion pump is milliliters per hour (ml/hr).

The ml/hr Formula

Flow Rate (ml/hr) = Total Volume (ml) ÷ Total Time (hr)

Step-by-Step Calculation Guide

  1. Identify Total Volume: This is the total amount of fluid to be administered (e.g., 500ml, 1000ml).
  2. Determine Total Time: If the time is given in minutes, convert it to hours by dividing by 60. For example, 30 minutes is 0.5 hours.
  3. Divide Volume by Time: Divide the volume by the hours to get the ml/hr rate.

Real-World Example

Suppose a doctor orders 1,200 ml of Normal Saline to be infused over 10 hours.

  • Volume: 1,200 ml
  • Time: 10 hours
  • Calculation: 1,200 ÷ 10 = 120
  • Result: Set the infusion pump to 120 ml/hr.

Why Accurate Calculation Matters

Incorrect flow rates can lead to fluid overload (hypervolemia) or inadequate medication delivery. Always double-check calculations, especially when dealing with high-alert medications like heparin or insulin, which often require specialized titration beyond simple ml/hr rates.

function calculateFlowRate() { var volume = parseFloat(document.getElementById('totalVolume').value); var hrs = parseFloat(document.getElementById('timeHours').value) || 0; var mins = parseFloat(document.getElementById('timeMinutes').value) || 0; var resultArea = document.getElementById('resultArea'); var output = document.getElementById('mlRateOutput'); var formulaDisplay = document.getElementById('formulaDisplay'); if (isNaN(volume) || volume 0) timeString += hrs + " hr "; if (mins > 0) timeString += mins + " min"; formulaDisplay.innerText = "Math: " + volume + " ml ÷ " + totalHours.toFixed(2) + " hours = " + roundedRate + " ml/hr"; // Scroll to result smoothly resultArea.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' }); }

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