STANDARDIZATION OF DOSES

To recognize that standardization of medication doses reduces medication errors and improves information technology interoperability, operational efficiency, and transitions of care; further,

To encourage development of universal standardized doses for specific patient populations; further,

To encourage healthcare organizations to adopt standardized doses and to promote publication and education about best practices.

Rationale

Standardization and simplification are widely accepted methods for reducing variability in processes with risk for error. Standardization of medication doses reduces waste and improves efficiency. Computer databases could be constructed with standard dosage forms, facilitating information technology interoperability. Simplified instruction for patients and caregivers improves administration in the home as well as patient adherence.

The standardization of liquid doses has been successfully accomplished in hospitals, but standardization of doses is also applicable to parenteral nutrition solutions and other injectable dosage forms. Standardization of doses within a hospital or health system would reduce waste and the potential for errors in those settings. The strict application of pediatric weight-based dosing, for example, leads to a large number of different doses being used, and many of those doses must then be prepackaged dose-by-dose due to limited stability of liquid and injectable dosage forms.

Standardization of doses within organizations would be made easier by the development of universal standardized doses for specific patient populations, which will require substantial research. Additional studies to determine best practices for standardization of medication doses and education of healthcare practitioners are also needed to facilitate broad adoption of this practice.