Use of the handheld programmable calculator in the preparation of TPN solutions

A handheld programmable calculator was used to increase speed and decrease errors when calculating and labeling total parenteral nutrition formulations for pediatric patients. A program was developed and tested and an evaluation of the calculator vs. the manual method was performed. The time required to calculate total parenteral nutrition formulations decreased 50% and errors decreased from 3% to 0. Use of a handheld programmable calculator saves time and increases the accuracy of calculations and labels when preparing total parenteral nutrition formulations. The approximate total cost of the calculator, printer, and card reader is $1000.