Rationale and key points

This article provides a step-wise, practical approach to undertaking intravenous (IV) infusion calculations. It also explores the evidence base behind medication errors in relation to calculations.

• Medication errors are the most common type of error affecting patient safety and the most common single, preventable cause of adverse events.

• Medicines calculations can assist in preventing an inaccurate medicines dose from being administered to the patient, which could result in suboptimal therapeutic benefit and/or possible harm to the patient.

• It is crucial for IV infusion calculations to be accurate, because these medicines directly enter the venous system and generally have a prompt action. Therefore, there is limited possibility of removing the medicine if an error is made.

• Individual nurses and healthcare organisations must ensure that medicines calculation skills are developed and maintained in practice.

Reflective activity

‘How to’ articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of:

1. How this article might improve your practice when undertaking IV infusion calculations.

2. How you could use this information to educate nursing students or your colleagues on the appropriate methods to use when undertaking an IV infusion calculation.