Kg versus pounds medication errors

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Thu, 03/31/2016 - 13:20
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Marilyn Hargett
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Joined: 12/10/2015 - 13:29
Kg versus pounds medication errors

Hello,
We continue to have challenges with ensuring the use of kg when recording patient wieghts which leads to errors for weight based medications. We have all scales in kg (most are defaulted/locked) and electronic documentation system has kg only. I think the problem stems from nursing having pounds in thier head and then not being focused when charing. Many patients after being weighed ask " How much do I weigh"?. We have conversion charts at the scales for this reason. How has your organziation tackled the issue? I am considering a discussion around all weight-based IV medications drips to have 2 RN pump verification.
I would love to hear from you and learn from your experience.
Thanks
Marilyn Hargett MSN, RN

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