DripCalc 1.0b
February 8, 1998
by Alan Simon (ads5@columbia.edu)

Description
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DripCalc is a small (11K when installed) package that, when given the concentration and rate of an intravenous drip, can calculate the dose being given to the patient.  It knows common concentrations and the proper units for most drugs given in a medical or cardiac ICU setting.  It also displays brief information on the normal range of doses, typical maximum dose, and loading dose instructions, if any.

For example:  say your patient is on a Dobutamine drip, and you want to know how much the dose is, and whether it's a large or small dose.  With DripCalc, you pick 'Dobutamine' from a list, then the mixture from another list, then the rate set on the pump, then the patient's weight (in kg or lb).  DripCalc knows that Dobutamine is calculated in mcg/kg/min, and will report the dose for that rate, and the range of typical doses.

For each drug, DripCalc offers commonly used mixtures: for example, for Dobutamine it offers 500 mg in 250 cc, and 1000 mg in 250 cc.  These are the commonly used concentrations at the hospital I work in, but I have no idea how common they are outside of here.  I can add other concentrations if there are sufficient requests.

Bug reports, comments, or suggestions would be appreciated.

Requirements
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This package was written and tested on a MP2000. It has not been tested on other Newtons, so I don't know if it will work on other models.

Price
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DripCalc is freeware.

Distribution information/restrictions
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DripCalc is free but not public domain.   All rights are reserved by the author.  Not for profit distribution is allowed & encouraged  as long as this text file is enclosed.

Version information
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Version 1.0 - Feb 8, 1998
First public release.

Disclaimer
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We make no guarantee about the performance or reliability of this software. Any  risk in it's use is your own. 

In using this software, you understand and agree that this software is provided ñas isî without warranty of any kind.  The authors do not make any warranties, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to this software.

In no event shall the author be liable for any consequential, incidental, or special damages whatsoever (including without limitation, damages for loss of critical data, loss of profits, interruption of business and the like) arising out of the use or inability to use this software.

We have made every effort to insure that DripCalc is accurate and bug free.  However, we ask that you bear the following in mind as you use the software:

1)  It is possible that unknown bugs or inaccuracies exist in DripCalc;  if you get a result that does not seem correct, please verify it in another way.

2) In several cases, more than one method of administering these medications exists and is used in clinical practice, depending on the indication for use.  Please check to make sure that we have used the formula that you wish to use.

3) In all cases, the results derived from mathematical formulas require
interpretation in light of the patient's clinical condition.  We cannot
insure that the formulas in DripCalc will give appropriate results in all cases.  Please exercise sound clinical judgement at all times!

©1997  Alan Simon. All Rights Reserved.