One of the most important parts of a paramedic’s job description arguably is that of understanding medical math. Paramedics are expected to have an extensive understanding of the various medications that they administer, from the effects that the medication can have on the body to protocols by which to use the drugs. Given the effect that any medication can have on a patient’s outcome, it’s critical that a paramedic leave little room for error.
Just as we use certain tools to help to make the job easier, there are tips and tricks to medical math that can help to ensure that patients gets the best care for their needs.
Conversions & cheat sheets
Medications are calculated off of a patient’s weight in kilograms, but for many paramedics in the United States, this can be a struggle, because we are accustomed to discussing weight in pounds. Therefore, the best practice is to utilize example scenarios to ensure the accuracy of one’s calculations. This is a practice that can be done together as a crew; not only does this help to bolster everyone’s confidence, but it also aids in team-building skills. By consistently practicing calculations, one will find that math will get easier with time.
Although maintaining steady practice in medical math calculations with a calculator might do wonders for many, some still will struggle to accurately calculate drug dosages on a call. In this instance, utilizing a cheat sheet can be a major asset to a paramedic. Like how a Broselow tape gives drug dosages that are based on the size of a pediatric patient, one can simplify medical math by calculating drug dosages for incremental weights for each weight-based drug that one might use in their system. By having such a sheet available in the back of the ambulance, paramedics can ensure that they give an accurate dose of the medication or that their drug calculations are accurate.
As with many aspects of EMS, we work together as a team, so it’s essential to confirm dosages with one’s partner to avoid error. Along with how technology allows us to have calculators on hand, it also allows us to utilize programs to help to store information. So, not only can a cheat sheet be useful in the back of the ambulance, it can be stored on a phone, so access to calculations is possible in the field as well.
Online & in print
Various online tools are available to help to break down medical math. For example, YouTube videos help to explain drug dosages through different thought processes. Perhaps one of those methods will click with an individual better than how that person was taught in paramedic school.
Among books that are available is “Paramedic Med-Math Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Medication Math” by Diane Pettway. The book helps to break down drug dosage in simple terms that anyone can understand.
One interesting thing to note is that, although there are many resources that are available to help to make a paramedic’s life easier, one resource that I found to be lacking is that of an app that calculates drug dosages for various medications in different EMS systems. It would seem as though this would be a simple app to design to aid in patient care across the world.
Best patient care
In the end, we all understand the importance that accurate medical math has in the world of EMS, whether it be through consistent practice or designing cheat sheets. It’s our responsibility to more than excel at this skill to provide the best patient care possible.
