Drip rate calculator
Producer:Jim Black
Summary:
Commonly a health worker wishes to give an intravenous infusion of a certain volume over a certain period of time. However, they need to work out how many drops per minute should actually fall within the giving set. Many health workers memorise the commonest combinations, but where uncommon volumes or times are involved a complex calculation is required. Then, when they come to the patient?s bedside, they need to count drops against a wrist watch or clock to set the correct drip rate.
This application allows the user to define the volume to be infused and the infusion period. It then calculates the corresponding number of drops per minute. The screen begins to flash at exactly that rate. By holding the mobile phone alongside the giving set, the health worker need only adjust the flow until one drop falls every time the screen flashes. There is no need for calculations or a wristwatch.
Where the volume to be infused is 500 ml or less the time period is measured in minutes, while for volumes above 500 ml the time period is measured in hours. The user can specify the number of drops in each millilitre (either 20 for a typical adult giving set or 30 for a typical paediatric giving set). The user also has the option of an audible sound for each flash of the screen.