Weigh Children in Kilograms Only!

Abstract

I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Gail Lenehan for writing the article, “The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) ‘Weighs In’ On Pediatric Medication Safety: ‘Weigh Children in Kilograms Only!’” because it reminds emergency nurses of this patient safety issue. As ED crowding continues and the world of the emergency nursing becomes more chaotic, it is imperative that we streamline equipment and processes to ensure that medication is based on the pediatric patient's weight in kilograms. ED personnel continue to weigh the pediatric patient in pounds as well as kilograms, thereby potentially increasing the chance of error when medicating pediatric patients. To ensure that weights are documented only in kilograms, scales that measure only in kilograms and electronic documentation that supports weight in kilograms only can be used to help decrease potential errors. 1Lenehan G The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) “weighs in” on pediatric medication safety: “weigh children in kilograms only!”.J Emerg Nurs. 2012; 38: 205-206Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (5) Google ScholarEmergency nurses must create a culture of increased awareness to deliver safe care to our pediatric population. Use of the color-coded Broselow Resuscitation tape (Armstrong Medical Industries, Inc, Lincolnshire, IL) helps limit the time used to calculate medication dosages during emergencies. 2Cadwell S Pediatric medication safety in the emergency department.J Emerg Nurs. 2008; 34: 375-377Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar The Institute of Medicine recommends standardizing doses and concentrations of medication to ensure correct medication dosages for the pediatric patient. As emergency nurses, it is our responsibility as patient advocates to participate and help make changes to provide a safe environment to our clients. I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Gail Lenehan for writing the article, “The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) ‘Weighs In’ On Pediatric Medication Safety: ‘Weigh Children in Kilograms Only!’” because it reminds emergency nurses of this patient safety issue. As ED crowding continues and the world of the emergency nursing becomes more chaotic, it is imperative that we streamline equipment and processes to ensure that medication is based on the pediatric patient's weight in kilograms. ED personnel continue to weigh the pediatric patient in pounds as well as kilograms, thereby potentially increasing the chance of error when medicating pediatric patients. To ensure that weights are documented only in kilograms, scales that measure only in kilograms and electronic documentation that supports weight in kilograms only can be used to help decrease potential errors. 1Lenehan G The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) “weighs in” on pediatric medication safety: “weigh children in kilograms only!”.J Emerg Nurs. 2012; 38: 205-206Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar Emergency nurses must create a culture of increased awareness to deliver safe care to our pediatric population. Use of the color-coded Broselow Resuscitation tape (Armstrong Medical Industries, Inc, Lincolnshire, IL) helps limit the time used to calculate medication dosages during emergencies. 2Cadwell S Pediatric medication safety in the emergency department.J Emerg Nurs. 2008; 34: 375-377Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar The Institute of Medicine recommends standardizing doses and concentrations of medication to ensure correct medication dosages for the pediatric patient. As emergency nurses, it is our responsibility as patient advocates to participate and help make changes to provide a safe environment to our clients. The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) “Weighs in” on Pediatric Medication Safety: “Weigh Children in Kilograms Only!”Journal of Emergency NursingVol. 38Issue 3PreviewA resident enters a child's weight of 44 into the information system as kilograms (Kg), when, in fact, the patient was weighed in pounds (lbs). The inaccuracy causes an overdose that results in the patient becoming fosphenytoin toxic.1 Full-Text PDF ResponseJournal of Emergency NursingVol. 39Issue 3PreviewThank you for your letter, which keeps the issue in the forefront, and thank you for your passion for keeping pediatric patients safe by weighing them in kilograms only. We are indebted to Elizabeth Stone Griffin, BS, RN, CPEN, who led the ENA Position Statement Committee in the writing of our position statement on this issue, available at ENA.org, and to Sue Hohenhaus, ENA Executive Director, who saw this, early on, as critical to the safety of our pediatric patients and is building bridges with regulators on the issue. Full-Text PDF