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Drug calculation ability of qualified paramedics: A pilot study
Malcolm J Boyle1, Kathryn Eastwood2
1School of Medicine, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
World Journal of Emergency Medicine
|January 2, 2018
Summary
Paramedic drug calculation skills vary, with many struggling with basic math, posing a patient safety risk. Regular practice and education are crucial to improve accuracy and reduce errors in emergency medical services.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Paramedic Education
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Inaccurate drug calculations by paramedics can endanger patient safety through incorrect dosing or defibrillation energy.
- This risk includes potential adverse events, such as patient death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the drug calculation and general mathematical abilities of qualified, operational paramedics.
- To identify potential deficits that could impact patient care and safety.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing a paper-based questionnaire administered to 20 paramedics in an intensive care paramedic course.
- The questionnaire included demographic, drug calculation (7 questions), and mathematical (5 questions) components.
- No prior notice was given, and calculator use was prohibited during the assessment.
Main Results:
- All eligible paramedics participated; the average experience was 7.25 years.
- Only 20% answered all 12 questions correctly; 41.6% scored 50% or less.
- The average score was 71.7%, with common errors in conceptual, arithmetical, and computational areas.
Conclusions:
- Paramedic mathematical and drug calculation skills without a calculator are inconsistent, mirroring international findings.
- These skills represent a potential risk to patient safety.
- Regular continuing education and practice in mathematical and drug calculations are essential to minimize error rates.
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