# Ordering Continuous Infusions

Continuous infusion orders run at a specified rate. As the user selects a solution and/or additive, the items from that list are displayed to the right under Solution/Additive. For continuous infusion orders the only optional field s are the Comments and the Duration or Total Volume fields. The schedule field is not available.

With the CPRS GUI v.28, a new Additive Frequency field was added to the Infusion Order dialog. Users must select from this field into which IV bag the additive should be placed:

· 1 Bag/Day: The additive should be put in one bag for 24 hours, normally the first bag.

· All Bags: The additive should be placed in all bags given to the patient.

· See Comments: The provider wants something other than the above options and will put appropriate instructions in the Comments box.

Note: If the user selects "See Comments" for the Additive Frequency but does not enter appropriate instructions in the Comments box, Pharmacy may interpret that as All Bags.

To order IV fluids and infusions, follow these steps:

1. Select the Orders tab.

2. Select the active orders view from the View Orders pane

-or-

select View | Active Orders (includes pending, recent activity) .

3. Select Infusion (or your site's equivalent) in the Write Orders list box.

Note: The IV fluids order may be labeled differently or may not be available from your Write Orders list box.

The Infusion Order dialog displays.

The Infusion Order dialog for continuous infusion orders does not use a schedule, but it does have an infusion rate. For continuous infusion orders, the new Additive Frequency field enables providers to indicate into which IV bag the additive should be placed.

Note: If encounter information has not been entered, the encounter information dialog will appear before the IV Fluid Order dialog. You must complete the encounter information dialog before proceeding.

4. Select a solution from the Solutions tab.

After you select a solution, CPRS automatically moves to the Additives tab.

5. Select an additive from the list (if necessary) and edit the strength if needed. Repeat for additional additives if necessary. How users can edit the strength field will depend on the values for strength defined in the pharmacy files as follows:

o If a single strength is defined, users cannot edit the field.

o If multiple values for strength are defined in the pharmacy files, the field will have a drop-down list from which users can choose a strength.

o If no values have been defined, users can type in a strength. If a strength includes a decimal point, the value must begin with a number: so, .5 is not valid, but 0.5 is.

The solution and additives you select will appear in the Solution/Additive grid.

Note : To remove an additive or solution, select the solution or additive and select Remove .

6. Enter a volume and strength in the Solution/Additive grid (if necessary).

7. Select the Additive Frequency from the list:

o 1 Bag/Day: The additive should be put in one bag for 24 hours, normally the first bag.

o All Bags: The additive should be placed in all bags given to the patient.

o See Comments: The provider wants something other than the above options. Enter the appropriate instructions in the Comments box.

8. Select a Route (such as intravenous, epidural, IV piggyback, etc.) If the desired route is not available, select the Other option in the list of routes to bring the expanded med route form that lists all possible IV routes.

9. In the Type field, select Continuous .

Note: If you change the IV Type from Continuous to Intermittent, the Schedule field becomes available and the Infusion Rate field becomes the Infusion over Time field.

Note: For a definition of Continuous and Intermittent orders, select the IV Type Help link and a message box will display with a short definition of what the terms mean.

10. Enter an infusion rate in ml/hr.

11. Select a Priority.

12. (Optional) Enter a number for the duration or total volume.

13. Select the appropriate unit (liters-L, milliliters-ml, days, or hours).

Note: If you change the units, the value in the Duration or the Total Volume field will be removed and you will need to enter it again. This is a safety feature to insure the patient does not receive a dangerous amount of fluid.

14. Enter any comments (if necessary).

15. Review the order text at the bottom of the dialog to ensure that it is correct.

16. Select Accept Order .

17. Enter another order

-or-

Select Quit .

Note : The order must be signed before it is sent. You can either sign the order now or wait until later.

Related Topics

Viewing Medications

Ordering Infusions

Ordering Continuous Infusions

Copying, Changing, or Renewing Continuous Infusion Orders

Ordering Intermittent Infusions

Sorting the Medications View

Ordering Inpatient Medications (Simple Dose)

Ordering Inpatient Medications (Complex Dose)

Ordering Outpatient Medications (Simple Dose)

Ordering Outpatient Medications (Complex Dose)

Change Medication Order

Discontinue Medication Order

Hold Medication Order

Renew Medication Order

Other Medication Actions (popup menu)