Like many institutions we have moved to ideal and adjusted-body weight for our IVIG dosing. However, we are running into a new issue with the weight nurses should program into the infusion pump (we use Alaris) to calculate the infusion rate. In my opinion it is best for the RN to program the pump with the weight used to dose the medication (ideal/adjusted) which should match the label however since the pump brain can only accept one weight for all infusions this is causing problems when the patient is on multiple weight-based infusions (some of which should be dosed based on actual body weight).

Does anyone have any ideas for how to approach this? I want to make sure we send the right message in terms of patient safety and apply it consistently.

Thank you!

Lauren Gashlin

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Drug Information

University of Rochester Medical Center